Women empowering women: the intercultural impact of Arab women interactions with Jewish women in abused women’s shelter

Abstract

ABSTRACT Shelters for battered women are important in combating abuse against women. The present study focused on changes described by abused Arab women after living in shelters with Jewish abused women in Israel. The qualitative research method was based on 15 interviews with Muslim women aged 23–44. Three themes emerged. 1) Independence focuses on the empowering role of encounters with Jewish women, facilitating resistance of the patriarchal relationships with their families of origin. 2) A change in perception of motherhood, focuses on the shift in childrearing practices, from the patriarchal-cultural approach to honoring children’s individuality. 3) Change in social perception, focuses on the shift from patriarchal obedience to wielding the right for self-expression. The present study contribution is in broadening the understanding the empowering potential of women’s intercultural encounters, they can assist those women in transforming personal, gender, and cultural worldviews in their struggle to be free from violence.