Case Study on education continuity in fragile settings. “Girls don’t do that” — At Hisham Hijjawi College, they do
For years, trades like carpentry, automotive maintenance, and technical production were seen as “boys’ fields” in Nablus. Girls, on the other hand, were expected to choose something safer, and more traditional. Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology decided to rewrite that script.
Backed by projects such as Thabri (Canadian-funded), Forsah, and EU programmes like NEXTMED and ERASMUS+, the college opened its doors to young women in non‑traditional TVET tracks, and built the support system to make their participation real, not symbolic.
Instead of asking girls to adapt to a male‑dominated system, the initiative reshaped the system around them. New doors opened: Girls could enrol in modern carpentry, vehicle maintenance, digital production and related technical fields. Money stopped being the first barrier, thanks to full or partial scholarships for girls from vulnerable backgrounds. Support went beyond the workshop: life skills and career coaching and psychosocial support and individual guidance were provided. Spaces were made to feel safe and welcoming, in terms of gender‑sensitive facilities and flexible schedules for women with family responsibilities. Communities were brought into the conversation: outreach campaigns with families, community leaders, and employers, and active work to challenge “this is not for girls” narratives.
Beyond the numbers, there are real person narratives that show how this change is playing out. Rola Nsasra, a divorced mother from Beit Furik, Rola joined the modern carpentry programme. “When I started making things with my hands, I felt stronger than all the societal barriers.” She is now preparing to launch a small furniture business from home to support her children. Fatima Masoud completed the automotive maintenance track and secured a job at a local company. “I want to prove that girls can be skilled mechanics — and successful business owners too.” Her ambition? To establish the first female‑led car repair garage in Palestine. These stories travel through families, neighbourhoods, social media, and can help shift what parents, employers, and younger girls believe is possible.
The initiative is powerful—but not easy. Frictions remain, including cultural resistance, mobility and logistics, care responsibilities, social stigma and funding uncertainty. Still, from this experience, a few clear lessons emerge:
- Stories change systems: Showcasing role models like Rola and Fatima is as important as updating curricula.
- Money + mindset + mentoring = retention: Scholarships alone aren’t enough; life skills, coaching, and gender awareness matter.
- Wraparound support is not a luxury: Transport, childcare, flexible schedules—these are what make participation possible for many women.
- Partnerships are key: Linking colleges, donors, and private employers creates real employment pathways, not just certificates.
Scaling this approach to other regions and institutions could turn “non‑traditional” into simply normal for girls who want to build, repair, design, and lead in every sector.
Case submitted by Alaa Darwish, Head of Projects and Studies Unit at Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology.
Picture credit : Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology.
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