Is this Gaza’s first female carpenter?

Walaa Abu Aisha works in a corner of the El Amal Rehabilitation Society centre in the besieged Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian woman, Walaa picks up her tools and carves wooden pieces in to art, a skill normally reserved for men in this society.

After Walaa works on creating her traditional pieces, they make their way on to the market where the proceeds are used to support the centre which supports disabled people in Gaza.

Speaking to MEMO Walaa says: “These activities were part of my university degree, including carpentry.”

“I fear the chainsaw; it requires that I be very cautious but I have will power to overcome that. Society’s view of me is also a hurdle that I have deal with, they question how a girl can work in a carpentry shop but I love this art form and I use it to benefit my skills,” she adds.

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Walaa Abu Aisha, a Palestinian carpenter in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Artwork by Walaa Abu Aisha, a Palestinian carpenter in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Walaa Abu Aisha, a Palestinian carpenter can be seen in her workshop in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Walaa Abu Aisha, a Palestinian carpenter can be seen in her workshop in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Artwork by Walaa Abu Aisha, a Palestinian carpenter in Gaza [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Walaa Abu Aisha a Palestinian carpenter in Gaza, can be seen creating her next artwork [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Walaa Abu Aisha a Palestinian carpenter in Gaza, can be seen creating her next artwork [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]