Gaza Women Get Creative, Make Natural Cosmetics From Local Herbs

With a wide range of cosmetics coming out almost every month, I always wonder if there is a demand but from the looks of it, there always it. Over the years, the demand for natural cosmetics has increased. More and more women and men want to use cosmetic products that are natural and herbal. This is also why the export of natural herbs from Palestine to Europe has increased in recent years. Farmers from Gaza, Palestine, etc. have exported most of their herbs to Europe where factories have turned these herbs into cosmetic products that are sold at a great price in the international market.

But recently, a new group of Gaza women has started the process of turning herbs into cosmetics in Gaza itself. These women have learned the process of extracting essential oils and creating products – like moisturizers and shampoos – by themselves.

So far, these cosmetic products by Gaza women are sold in over 50 stores which include around 30 pharmacies around the region. The products are made in a factory in Gaza City which staffs four women that use steam distillation to remove ingredients from plants. These cosmetics are made from plants like basil, thyme, rosemary, chamomile, and mint. 

The factory in Gaza City is internationally funded and they already have a range of 17 products. The cosmetics include a range of cleansers, body wash, etc. All these cosmetic products are launched under the brand GG that stands for green gold, as the farmers of northern Gaza call mint.

Refqa Al-Hamalawi has stated to the Reuters of the project that all the natural herbs are directly sourced from farms that are run by women farmers. Refqa Al-Hamalawi said, “When you hold the product, you feel like you are taking something from the earth – with no additives.” She also added that she was very proud of their woman-centric idea and production of cosmetics in Gaza.

The Gaza-based project is supported by Australia and the global charity Oxfam. The project aims to empower women and boost the economy of Gaza. And this is because the total rate of unemployment in Gaza is 50% while the female unemployment rate is higher than 62%. These statistics were according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. 

Many of the women farmers have spoken about how they were struggling to sell their herbs in the local market but now they get direct orders from the factory in Gaza and it is via that they earn a steady income by making cosmetics out of the raw material. These raw herbs are then put through steam distillation and other processes to make the final cosmetics. The project also made these women farmers aware of the multiple uses that these herbs have. 

One of the pharmacists, Narmin Al-Banna, who stocks these cosmetics made in the factory of Gaza, said, “I like these products because they are natural and have no chemicals in them. I tried them on many people, and many customers and they gave me great feedback.”

This initiative of producing cosmetics in Gaza itself using their homegrown herbs, not only empowers women farmers but also makes them financially independent. It makes them capable enough to take care of their households and families. I feel proud to know that there are steps taken to empower women and boost economic growth in places like Gaza.