Bedouin Women

Most of the women of the families we met were married at a very early age (about 14 to 16 years old). According to Bedouin customs, it is unlikely for married women to work unless they are helping their husbands at work. It is expected from married women to become good housewives and take care of the children. In other words most of the women do not have financial independence and do not have the opportunity for self-fulfillment. Getting married at an early age also deprives women of getting higher education. In addition, because polygamy is very common among the Bedouins, most women feel vulnerable to be deserted by their husband. However, they have no other choice but to accept their destiny because polygamy is accepted in the Koran.