Traditional embroidery is an important part of Palestinian
culture, rich in cultural meaning and symbolism. Palestinian
women play a considerable role in maintaining this heritage,
particularly through the preservation of traditional techniques
and by mounting local and international exhibitions of their
work. Common motifs such as the cypress tree 'suru’ are found in
many pieces, and symbols may also serve to convey messages; for
example, the embroidery on the traditional dresses 'thob’ worn
by women indicate the area a woman is from. Successful
embroidery enterprises have played an important part in
providing a source of empowerment and financial independence for
a number of Palestine refugee women. Umm Ra’ad lives in Hebron
and is one of UNRWA’s microfinance programme beneficiaries. She
established an embroidery shop using a microfinance loan. Her
shop, 'Al-Rawan and Al-Marwa’, sells traditional products and
handicrafts. Not only does she produces traditional products,
but she has also added new ideas and