The incorporation of women into the labour market is both an emerging phenomenon and proportional to the degree of their educational training. According to a study realized by the UNWRA, in the refugee camps in Lebanon, only 13% of the gross active population or employed population are women who generally work in sectors such as services, health, education or craftwork compared to 67% of men . Women’s incomes are four times lower than those of men doing the same jobs and only 10% of the employed women receive an income reaching the minimum wage (which is around 100 USD monthly).
Generally, Women represent 53% of the total population (227,757 Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon) in the camps and on average they have 4.1 children.
Generally, Women represent 53% of the total population (227,757 Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon) in the camps and on average they have 4.1 children.
The women who have lost their husbands either because they are divorced (in general the man imposes the divorce) or widowed (according to the UNRWA , 3,601 Palestinian widowed refugees are registered in Lebanon), usually become dependent on the closest male next of kin in their family. This situation of dependence then becomes like a situation of slavery or charity in the sense that the women is provided with shelter and food in exchange for her undertaking of housework.
This phenomenon becomes worse when it deals with early marriage, a widespread phenomenon in the camps because of economic reasons which results in a considerable number of divorced women under the age of 18 with dependent children. It becomes more difficult for divorced women to marry a second time, once they have children and as they become older, it is also important to take into consideration the fact that this is a society where women occupy positions that are non-income generating, such as housework or agricultural activities that are not for sale but for household consumption.
This phenomenon becomes worse when it deals with early marriage, a widespread phenomenon in the camps because of economic reasons which results in a considerable number of divorced women under the age of 18 with dependent children. It becomes more difficult for divorced women to marry a second time, once they have children and as they become older, it is also important to take into consideration the fact that this is a society where women occupy positions that are non-income generating, such as housework or agricultural activities that are not for sale but for household consumption.