Stars of Hope Society believes that access to microcredit opportunities and inclusive banking services is essential for empowering women with disabilities. By removing financial barriers and ensuring accessible and up-to-date information, the project aims to promote economic independence and achieve sustainable development.
Project Objectives:
Through the "Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Microcredit and Banking Services for Women with Disabilities" project, Stars of Hope Society seeks to create a lasting impact in the West Bank and Gaza by:
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Increasing access to financial information:
Assessing the social media and outreach strategies of the Sharakeh network (a network of microcredit institutions) in terms of inclusivity and accessibility for women with disabilities, and developing recommendations to enhance access to and dissemination of microcredit-related information in Palestine.
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Providing financial literacy training:
Training a group of women with disabilities on financial literacy, including comprehensive guidance on microcredit terms and conditions.
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Improving access to banking services:
Expanding access to essential banking services for persons with disabilities -especially women- by working with the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) to develop recommendations for amending Instruction No. (8) issued in 2017, ensuring that banks are better equipped to provide financial services through dedicated workshops.
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Enhancing the capacity of banking personnel:
Training 20 relevant bank employees on the revised policies and best practices for financial inclusion.
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Assessing and improving physical accessibility:
Conducting an accessibility audit of one bank branch and developing recommendations to improve its physical accessibility.
Phase One: Economic Empowerment and Policy Advocacy
In its first phase, the project focused on strengthening the economic empowerment of women with disabilities in the West Bank and Gaza by combining direct support, policy advocacy, and awareness-raising initiatives. The project opened a call for applications for entrepreneurial training, selecting a group of women with disabilities. Among them, some received small grants of USD 3,000 each to launch their micro-businesses. Throughout the implementation phase, mentorship was provided to ensure smooth business operations and to connect participants with relevant institutions.
At the policy level, the project produced policy papers highlighting the experiences of women with disabilities in establishing micro-businesses, accessing financial and microcredit services, and participating in public-sector economic empowerment programs. To promote systemic change, lobbying meetings were organized with key influencers in the financial sector, and service providers were engaged to integrate women with disabilities into their programs. In addition, accountability sessions were held between women with disabilities and the Ministry of Social Development.
At the same time, the project increased public and stakeholder awareness through advocacy training for women with disabilities, organizing community events in four locations, and conducting broad messaging campaigns via social media and television. By integrating training, financial support, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, the project fostered a supportive environment where women with disabilities can succeed as entrepreneurs and contribute to shaping inclusive economic policies.
Sustainability and Ensuring Inclusive Financial Services
To ensure long-term impact, Stars of Hope Society is committed to establishing ongoing partnerships with financial institutions and regulatory bodies. By embedding best accessibility practices into daily operations and providing continuous training, the project will contribute to creating an environment where financial services are fully inclusive and aligned with international standards for decent work and economic empowerment.