A Revolution in Bedouin Women’s Education
A Revolution in Bedouin Women’s Education
October 24, 2013
Negev Development & Community Programs
Eman Abu Ammar, 24, is studying language and literature at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Unlike many Bedouin women her age, she’s in no rush to get married.
“Bedouin usually get married young,” she says. “People ask me, ‘Why aren’t you married, don’t you have anybody?’
It does pressure me, but I plan to choose a partner who will allow me to keep studying.”
Abu Ammar covers her hair with a bright blue head scarf, or hijab. She says she wears it both as a religious statement and as a Bedouin custom, which begins at age 12.
The youngest of eight children, her parents encouraged her to study at the University but to continue living at home.
Her friend Reem al-Amrany, who is married and working on her master’s degree, says it has become not only acceptable but an advantage for women to go to university. Al-Amrany is the oldest of seven children and her mother is illiterate. Her parents have encouraged her education, as has her husband.
“Today, when a man wants to marry, he looks for a working woman because of the hard life and the economic situation,” she says. “He needs someone to help him make a living.”
There are over 300 female Bedouin students at BGU, as well as 150 men from that community. Many of these students receive generous scholarships from the University.
The young women speak Arabic at home and in school, and often need special tutoring before they can take classes in Hebrew.
“Ben-Gurion University is helping hundreds of Bedouin students realize their potential,” says BGU President Prof. Carmi.
“The University offers counseling, tutoring and scholarship support that has enabled hundreds of students to benefit from higher education.”
View a video by The Media Line about female Bedouin students at BGU >>
Read more on The Jerusalem Post website >>
Established in 1997, the Robert H. Arnow Center for Bedouin Studies and Development has helped Bedouin students at BGU successfully navigate their academic careers. Now, when you contribute any amount to the Robert H. Arnow Bedouin Scholarship Matching Program, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Arnow family of New York. Go to the donation page and select “Bedouin Scholarship Match” from the drop-down menu >>
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