LÎNA EL-XETÎB

Idlib - Women of Idlib have been trying to make a living by using their own skills to cope with poverty, economic crisis, and lack of job opportunities. They struggle to survive by making food at home and selling them to their neighbors, relatives, and restaurants. NuJINHA spoke to the women, who make a living by selling food in Idlib.

She works and takes care of her children

33-year-old Samiya El Sultan makes food such as Kubba, cesqat and ebarq at home and sells them to the women living in her neighborhood. She told us that she makes food at home in order to meet her needs. Her husband was killed in a clash that took place in 2019. After she lost her husband, she created a job for herself. In the beginning, she sold food to her neighbors and relatives but now she sells food to many restaurants. “Working at home allows me to spend more time with my children. I prepare food in the evening. In the daytime, I take care of my children,” she told us.

They share what they earn

36-year-old Zehra El-Berud, who had to leave her hometown Seraqib for Sermeda, has turned one of her rooms into a kitchen for widows and women, whose husbands are in prison. “After my husband lost his legs, I decided to work in order to earn a living for my family. We have four children. I started a project at the beginning of 2021. I make food for weddings and restaurants with women in the neighborhood. We share what we earn.”

 Nura El-Ebbas makes date cake

29-year-old Nura El-Ebbas, who had to leave her hometown Tell Mannas to Kali town, has three children. She couldn’t go to school because she was married at a young age. She makes desserts such as knafeh and mişebek at home and sells them to her neighbors and dessert shops. Her husband suffers from heart problems and works in an iron workshop for 30 Turkish liras per day. She decided to make desserts and cakes since her husband’s salary was not enough to meet their needs. In Ramadan, she makes date cake. “There is a high demand for this cake,” she said.

They create jobs for themselves

Sociologist İlham El-Ecmi (38) spoke to NuJINHA about women’s participation in the workforce.

“The war reveals a new reality for women whose spouses were killed, kidnapped, and injured. Women, who have to make a living, struggle against difficult conditions of life. The poverty rate in northwest Syria has increased by 90%. Women of Idlib create jobs for themselves to struggle against poverty and price hikes.”