Zeinab al-Momany recognized how striking poverty is for rural women in Jordan as their social and economic situation has left them powerless to break this cycle. To challenge the existing system, Zeinab introduced the idea of a profit-sharing cooperative for farming and traditional handicrafts where women can invest in their local expertise and participate in self-sustaining projects as a means to support rural economic growth.
Since launching the Sakhrah Women’s Cooperative six years ago, Zeinab’s project has fostered a new role for women in her community as small business and income generating activities have allowed them to increase their economic and social standing. Her successful rural development model has attracted partnership opportunities and allowed Zeinab to expand her reach and connect with other rural female farmers to form the Female Farmers Union, the first of its kind in Jordan. Zeinab is an inspirational social pioneer who has faced a number of obstacles in support of the rights for rural women and hopes to expand her network to make a greater impact in neighboring countries.
Zeinab received the prestigious Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2008 in recognition of her achievements in promoting the rights of rural women. She was also recognized for her work by Ashoka and inducted into their 2009 fellowship program.
To Contact Zeinab:
zeinab_almoumani@yahoo.com
Tel: 0096226446262