Intercultural Fashion and its Contribution to Women Empowerment in Refugee Camps in the Middle East; Refugee Artisan Collaborations by Fashion Brands

الملخص

This research paper focuses on the concept of intercultural fashion and its contribution to women's Empowerment in refugee camps in the Middle East. It outlines the alternative and possible solutions in establishing economic and social opportunities for refugee women. It then attempts to analyze how international fashion brands contribute to the lives of refugee women while emphasizing the significance of Feminist Theory in International Relations to understand the broader consequences of gender and power-changing aspects. By analyzing partnerships between global fashion enterprises and artisans, the study will highlight how these collaborations can be a possible solution to promote economic growth, cultural preservation and social incorporation for displaced women. This paper also explores the influence of fashion as a tool for Empowerment and its alignment with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. 

المراجع

1. Areej Al-Hamad, Hingorani, M., Yasin, Y., & Kateryna Metersky. (2024). Impact of refugee women’s entrepreneurship on socioeconomic outcomes and well-being: A scoping review. International Health Trends and Perspectives, 4(1), 129–151. https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v4i1.2084
2. Aspen Global Innovators. (2019, November 23). Artisan Alliance. Artisan Alliance. https://www.artisanalliance.org/research-archive/2019/11/23/stories-from-the-creative-economy-making-the-case-for-refugee-artisan-enterprise
3. Artisan Sector — Artisan Alliance. (2014). Artisan Alliance. Artisan Alliance. https://www.artisanalliance.org/sector
4. Albayan- خروب, دبي-غسان. (2022, March 23). نور حويطات تجمع ثقافات العالم على قطعة قماش. Www.albayan.ae. https://www.albayan.ae/expo/news/2022-03-24-1.4399044
5. Barraza Vargas, C. (2019). Women in Command: The Impact of Female Leadership on International Organisations. Global Society, 33(4), 541–564. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2019.1642858
6. Baker Institute. (n.d.). The Intersection of Gender and Displacement in the Middle East and North Africa. [online] Available at: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/intersection-gender-and-displacement-middle-east-and-north-africa.
7. Beaujouan, J., & Rasheed, A. (2020). The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan And Lebanon: Impact And Implications. Middle East Policy, 27(3), 76–98. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12514
8. Budget. (2024). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-report-2023/budget
9. Bureau of International Information Programs, & United States Department of State. (2012). Chapter 1: Women and Poverty. Opentextbc.ca; Bureau of International Information Programs, United States Department of State. https://opentextbc.ca/womenintheworld/chapter/chapter-1-women-and-poverty/#over1
10. Budget and Expenditure. (n.d.). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/dashboards/budget-and-expenditure
11. Betts, A., & Collier, P. (2017). Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System. Ox.ac.uk. https://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/publications/refuge-transforming-a-broken-refugee-system
12. Cornwall, A. (2016). Women’s Empowerment: What Works? Journal of International Development, 28(3), 342–359. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3210
13. Centre (IDMC), I.D.M. (n.d.). A decade of displacement in the Middle East and North Africa. [online] story.internal-displacement.org. Available at: https://story.internal-displacement.org/mena-2021/index.html.
14. Country - Jordan. (n.d.). Data.unhcr.org. https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/jor
15. chloe. (2023, May 5). The Language of Fashion: How Clothing Communicates Cultural Identity. Moments Log. https://www.momentslog.com/culture/the-language-of-fashion-how-clothing-communicates-cultural-identity
16. Community engagement and women’s empowerment. (2024). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-report-2023/outcome-areas/community-engagement-and-womens-empowerment
17. Common Objective. (2022, September 21). How Chloé Has Worked With Refugees to Create Stunning Accessories. Common Objective. https://www.commonobjective.co/article/how-chloe-worked-with-refugees-to-create-stunning-accessories
18. CIAFE HQ. (2023, December 22). Cross-Cultural Exchange Programs in Fashion: Fostering Global Collaborations and Learning. CIAFE. https://www.ciafe.org/post/cross-cultural-exchange-programs-in-fashion-fostering-global-collaborations-and-learning
19. Dobson, S., Agrusti, G., & Pinto, M. (2019). Supporting the inclusion of refugees: policies, theories and actions. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 25(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2019.1678804
20. Dubai TV. (2022, March 27). إكسبو هذا الصباح | مصصمة الأزياء نورحويطات تستلهم من الأعمال الفنية الرواندية أفكارا لتصاميمها. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJRFjKfa3Ao
21. Exploring the Intersection of Gender and Displacement in the Middle East and North Africa | Baker Institute. https://www.bakerinstitute.org/event/exploring-intersection-gender-and-displacement-middle-east-and-north-africa
22. Enloe, C. (2014). Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics (2nd ed.). University of California Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt6wqbn6
23. Feminisms, Empowerment and Development - Institute of Development Studies. (2018, September 17). Institute of Development Studies. https://www.ids.ac.uk/publications/feminisms-empowerment-and-development/
24. Facilitating the social and economic participation of refugee and vulnerable migrant women in settlement. (2022). https://socialpolicy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Facilitating-the-social-and-economic-participation-of-refugee-and-vulnerable-migrant-women-in-settlement.pdf
25. Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Elena, and others (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (2014; online edn, Oxford Academic, 4 Aug. 2014), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199652433.001.0001
26. Fashinnovation: How Industrial Revolution Changed Fashion. (2022, April 12). Fashinnovation. https://fashinnovation.nyc/fashinnovation-industrial-revolution-fashion/
27. Funding UNHCR’s programmes. (n.d.). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-appeal-2024/funding-unhcrs-programmes
28. Global Focus. (n.d.). Middle East and North Africa. [online] Available at: https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-appeal-2024/regional-overviews/middle-east-and-north-africa.
29. Guide, S. (2018, June 20). Partner With These 7 Brands To Show Your Support For Refugees Worldwide. The Good Trade. https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/7-brands-supporting-refugees-worldwide/
30. Global report on internal displacement. Available at: https://api.internal-displacement.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/IDMC-GRID-2024-Global-Report-on-Internal-Displacement.pdf
31. Gender-based violence. (2024). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-report-2023/outcome-areas/gender-based-violence
32. Howard-Hassmann, R. E. (2011). Accentuating the Negative: Reply to Hertel and Arat. Journal of Human Rights, 10(4), 467–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/14754835.2011.619404
33. Hamdi Ulukaya. (n.d.). The Tent Partnership for Refugees. https://www.tent.org/hamdi-ulukaya/
34. Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. (n.d.). UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/media/handbook-procedures-and-criteria-determining-refugee-status-under-1951-convention-and-1967
35. H&M Inclusion and Diversity commitments | H&M Careers United Arab Emirates. (2024, September 3). H&M Careers United Arab Emirates. https://career.hm.com/ae-en/inclusion-and-diversity/
36. H&M and the H&M Foundation. (n.d.). Www.unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/partnerships/hm-and-hm-foundation
37. JRS East Africa. (2024). Resilience of Refugee Women in Building New Lives - JRS East Africa. [online] Available at: https://ear.jrs.net/en/story/resilience-of-refugee-women-in-building-new-lives/
38. Jordan. (2024, January 28). International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/projects-and-partnerships/projects/partnership-improving-prospects-forcibly-displaced-persons-and-host/countries/jordan
39. Jabbar, S. A., & Zaza, H. I. (2015). Evaluating a vocational training programme for women refugees at the Zaatari camp in Jordan: women empowerment: a journey and not an output. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 21(3), 304–319. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2015.1077716
40. Kabasakal Arat, Z. F. (2011). Globalization, Feminisms, and Women’s Empowerment: Comments on Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann’s Article, “Universal Women’s Rights Since 1970.” Journal of Human Rights, 10(4), 458–466. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/10.1080/14754835.2011.619403
41. Kabir, R., & Klugman, J. (2019). Unlocking Refugee Women’s Potential. https://giwps.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Unlocking-Refugee-Womens-Potential.pdf
42. Khatib, M., Purwar, T., Shah, R., Vizcaino, M., & Castillo, L. (2024). Empowerment and integration of refugee women: a transdisciplinary approach. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03723-w
43. Licata, M., & Kemp, W. (2020, July 5). The future of work in fashion. UN Today. https://untoday.org/the-future-of-work-in-fashion/
44. Martin, G. (n.d.). “Behind every great man there’s a great woman” - the meaning and origin of this phrase. Phrasefinder. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/behind-every-great-man-theres-a-great-woman.html
45. Middle East and North Africa. (n.d.). UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/where-we-work/middle-east-and-north-africa
46. Middle East and North Africa. (n.d.). UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/where-we-work/middle-east-and-north-africa
47. Middle East and North Africa. (n.d.). Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-appeal-2024/regional-overviews/middle-east-and-north-africa
48. More Than Art: Tatreez and Syrian Women Refugees. (2021, September 8). The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy -. https://timep.org/2021/09/08/more-than-art-tatreez-and-syrian-women-refugees%e2%80%a8/
49. Meet The Founder Of A Fashion Brand That Gives A Lifeline To Refugees | Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. (2018, July 11). Harper'S Bazaar Arabia. https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/bazaar-meets-the-founder-of-the-fashion-brand-sep-jordan
50. Nokia Visits UN Women’s Oasis Centre in Azraq Camp. (2024, June 4). UN Women – Jordan. https://jordan.unwomen.org/en/stories/feature-story/2024/06/nokia-visits-un-womens-oasis-centre-in-azraq-camp
51. Narain, S. (2014). Gender in International Relations: Feminist Perspectives of J. Ann Tickner. Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 21(2), 179–197. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971521514525085
52. Olivius, E. (2016). Refugee men as perpetrators, allies or troublemakers? Emerging discourses on men and masculinities in humanitarian aid. Women’s Studies International Forum, 56, 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2015.12.004
53. Olivius, E. (2015). Constructing Humanitarian Selves and Refugee Others. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 18(2), 270–290. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2015.1094245
54. Our Members. (2024, September 19). The Tent Partnership for Refugees. https://www.tent.org/partner/gap-inc/
55. Pesantez, G., & World. (n.d.). Cover image: High rises and hotel buildings in Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama. Photo. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/0f3e72aaa017792e24d18959a560d352-0570022023/original/FINAL-PS4R-Refugee-Related-Investment-Myth-or-Reality.pdf
56. P.A.C.E. and RISE | Gap Inc. (2016). Gap Inc. https://www.gapinc.com/en-us/impact/bridging-the-equity-gap/p-a-c-e-and-rise
57. Partnerships. (2024). MADE51. https://made51.org/pages/partnerships
58. Refugee atelier (2023) Sdgs.un.org. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/refugee-atelier
59. Refugee Crises in the Arab World. (n.d.). Carnegieendowment.org. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2018/10/refugee-crises-in-the-arab-world?lang=en
60. Refugees and Resettlement: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Policies for the Future. (2022). The IRC. https://www.rescue.org/announcement/refugees-and-resettlement-womens-economic-empowerment-and-policies-future
61. Stevens, D. (2015). Rights, needs or assistance? The role of the UNHCR in refugee protection in the Middle East. The International Journal of Human Rights, 20(2), 264–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2015.1079026
62. STORIES FROM THE CREATIVE ECONOMY: Making the Case for Refugee Artisan Enterprise. (n.d.). https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52669d1fe4b05199f0587707/t/5dfbcd1a586f401a561110eb/1576783158273/Artisan+Alliance_Compilation_V04.pdf
63. SEP Jordan. (2020). SEP the Brand - Jordan. https://septhebrand-jo.com/pages/about-us
64. Shishehgar, S., Gholizadeh, L., DiGiacomo, M., Green, A., & Davidson, P. M. (2016). Health and Socio-Cultural Experiences of Refugee Women: An Integrative Review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 19(4), 959–973. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0379-1
65. Smith, S. (2018, January 4). Introducing Feminism in International Relations Theory. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/2018/01/04/feminism-in-international-relations-theory/
66. SEP, from embroidery to Fashion Week | Lombard Odier. (2022, February 18). Www.lombardodier.com. https://www.lombardodier.com/contents/corporate-news/responsible-capital/2022/february/the-clic-chronicles-meet-sep--a.html
67. SEP Jordan. (2024). SEP the Brand - Jordan. https://septhebrand-jo.com/pages/inspiration
68. Social Impact Guide, 20 Organizations Working to Support Refugee Rights – (n.d.). https://socialimpactguide.com/journal/organizations-support-refugee-rights/
69. Thorne, A. (2020). The potential for skills development programmes to empower poverty-affected and refugee women in rural Jordan. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1744691
70. Tang, C. S. (2020). Innovative Technology and Operations for Alleviating Poverty through Women’s Economic Empowerment. Production and Operations Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13349
71. Turner, L. (2015). Explaining the (Non-)Encampment of Syrian Refugees: Security, Class and the Labour Market in Lebanon and Jordan. Mediterranean Politics, 20(3), 386–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629395.2015.1078125
72. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019). When did women start wearing pants? In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/when-did-women-start-wearing-pants
73. The Political Lives of Refugees. (n.d.). Refugees. https://deeply.thenewhumanitarian.org/refugees/articles/2017/01/04/the-political-lives-of-refugees
74. UN Women Jordan’s Oasis Programme: Transforming Lives, Empowering Women. (2023, December 10). UN Women – Jordan. https://jordan.unwomen.org/en/stories/feature-story/2023/12/un-women-jordans-oasis-programme-transforming-lives-empowering-women
75. UNHCR (2024). Syria Refugee Crisis Explained. [online] Unrefugees.org. Available at: https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/.
76. UN News “Families ran for their lives”: Syria receives 250,000 refugees fleeing Lebanon. (2024, October 8). . https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155486
77. UN Women. (2024, February 23). Five things to accelerate women’s economic empowerment. UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/02/five-things-to-accelerate-womens-economic-empowerment
78. UN Women - Op-ed: Empowering women and girl migrants and refugees. (2016, September 15). Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2016/9/op-ed-empowering-women-and-girl-migrants-and-refugees
79. United Nations. (2015). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
80. Upadhyay, R. (2024, September 26). CFDA Nest, U.N. Agency for Refugees Team Up to Support Artisans. WWD. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/textiles/cfda-nest-un-refugee-artisans-program-1236650145/
81. UN Women in Jordan. (2020). UN Women – Jordan. https://jordan.unwomen.org/en/about-us/un-women-in-jordan
82. UNHCR. (2023, October 24). Refugee Statistics. UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/
83. UNHCR. (n.d.). Middle East and North Africa. [online] Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/where-we-work/middle-east-and-north-africa.
84. UNHCR GLOBAL REPORT 2022, https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-report-22/middle-east-and-north-africa. Available at: https://reporting.unhcr.org/global-report-22/middle-east-and-north-africa.
85. UNHCR (n.d.). Refugees. [online] UNHCR. Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/who-we-protect/refugees.
86. UNHCR. (2023, April 6). Global Trends. UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends
87. UNHCR (2024). Syria Situation. [online] Global Focus. Available at: https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/syria-situation.
88. UNICEF. (2022, January 31). Gender-based Violence in Emergencies. Www.unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/protection/gender-based-violence-in-emergencies
89. UNHCR UK, Who is a Refugee and who is not - the Crisis of Identity as a Challenge to Protection | UNHCR UK. (2022). https://www.unhcr.org/uk/publications/who-refugee-and-who-not-crisis-identity-challenge-protection
90. UN Women, Empowerment through employment for Syrian refugee women in Jordan. (2018, August 10). – Jordan. https://jordan.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2018/august/feature-empowerment-through-employment-for-syrian-refugee-women-in-jordan
91. UNHCR, Artist nurtures creativity through online community of women refugees | UNHCR. (2021). https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/artist-nurtures-creativity-through-online-community-women-refugees
92. UN Women, What we do: Humanitarian action: Facts and figures. (n.d.). https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/humanitarian-action/facts-and-figures
93. Usman Safiyanu Duguri, Hassan, I., & Yusuf Kamaluddeen. (2021). International Relations, Realism, and Liberalism: A Theoretical Review. 2(1), 1–6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358806848_International_Relations_Realism_and_Liberalism_A_Theoretical_Review
94. UN Refugees, World Creativity and Innovation Day: How refugee women use their artisanship to empower and support their families and communities. (n.d.). Www.unrefugees.org. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/world-creativity-and-innovation-day-how-refugee-women-use-their-artisanship-to-empower-and-support-their-families-and-communities/
95. World Bank, Women’s & Girls’ Empowerment. (2023, December 12). https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/gender/brief/womens-girls-empowerment
96. World Economic Forum, Why financial inclusion is key to integrating and empowering refugees. (n.d.). https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/08/financial-inclusion-key-integrating-refugees/
97. WFP Nine out of ten Syrian refugee families in Lebanon are now living in extreme poverty, UN study says | World Food Programme. (n.d.). Www.wfp.org. https://www.wfp.org/news/nine-out-ten-syrian-refugee-families-lebanon-are-now-living-extreme-poverty-un-study-says
98. World Economic Forum, “It’s given me love”: how art is helping refugee women connect and express themselves. (2021, October 6). https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/refugee-women-creative-art-social-experiences/
99. World Bank Blogs, Invest in women to boost growth in MENA. (2019). https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/arabvoices/invest-women-boost-growth-mena
100. Yousif M. Qasmiyeh - Writing the Camp. (2021). Broken Sleep Books. https://www.brokensleepbooks.com/product-page/yousif-m-qasmiyeh-writing-the-camp
101. Zlotnik, H. (2003). The Global Dimensions of Female Migration. [online] migrationpolicy.org. Available at: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/global-dimensions-female-migration/