ROCHELLE JUNIOR

Sweida- Making lavash bread, also known as Arab bread, is one of the important traditions in Sweida. Although the number of women making lavash bread has been decreasing over time, some women still make lavash bread in the city. A group of women opened a bakery in the city to make and sell lavash bread.

 Nada Al-Qadmani opened the bakery 24 years ago due to the high demand for lavash bread. “I was living in a house far from the village and I had children. I had to do household chores and went to the bakery in the village to buy lavash bread even in winter. Then, I decided to make and sell lavash bread at home.”

Although Nada Al-Qadmani faced social pressure, she never gave up and opened a bakery in a short time. “The women living in the village began to work with me. Then, I bought several cars for the distribution of bread to the shops. Now, 21 women work at the bakery and we sell lavash bread not only in Sweida and its villages but also in neighboring cities.”

‘Women should work’

Hania Al-Halabi, one of the workers at the bakery, is responsible for baking bread. “I used to bake bread at home. Then, I started working at the bakery. Women should work in order not to depend on anyone.”

Zahira Zarifa has been working at the bakery for 15 years. “Despite long working hours, I am happy to work at the bakery. Women should participate in the labor force to achieve their economic independence.”

She works at the bakery to support her mother

Yasmin Assaf is a displaced woman of Idlib living in Sweida. She started working at the bakery due to the deteriorating economic situation in the city. “I work at the bakery to support my mother and stand on my own legs.

Borjat Ridan, another woman working at the bakery, thinks that women should work because it is the only way for them to achieve economic independence.