'Flower by flower, we make a garden': Palestinian women organising for economic justice

摘要

This article illustrates a unique experience of social-movement building, initiated by Sawt el-Amel, a grassroots organisation of Arab workers in Israel. The process started in 2005, with the establishment of an activist forum for women on social welfare in Nazareth. Gradually, this is transforming into a union for Arab women all across Israel. The initiative can teach valuable lessons about organising for economic justice, and has also developed an innovative approach to addressing gender issues within the context of a national minority community with conservative structures, where women face multiple forms of discrimination based on gender, race, and socio-economic status.