Sandwiches and a safe space: a Gaza restaurant run by women, for women

A Palestinian waitress work at the newly-opened women-only restaurant, called Sabaia VIP, in Gaza City September 6, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

A Palestinian woman has realised her dream of becoming a chef in the male-dominated Gaza Strip thanks to a new eatery where she heads an all-female staff looking after an all-female clientele.

Opened last month and offering light meals like chicken sandwiches and pizza, “Sabaia VIP” has been doing brisk business in a conservative and congested enclave where some women complain of lacking private and safe leisure venues.

The chef, Amena Al-Hayek, trained at a hotel restaurant where she worked for free. Although there were openings there for new chefs, she was never considered.

“The administration rejected (me). They said they wanted a male chef, not a female,” Hayek told Reuters.

Sabaia means “Lasses” in Arabic, a playful choice of words for a clientele made up of women of all ages – and no men.

gaza
Palestinian chef Amena Al-Hayek observes staff working at the newly-opened women-only restaurant, called Sabaia VIP, in Gaza City September 6, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

“The idea stemmed from our need to have something private, where we can enjoy our independence and our privacy, a place only for women,” said the owner, Reham Hamouda.

Hamouda employs eight women on staff and others who prepare food from their homes. That provides much-needed income in Gaza, where unemployment hovers around 50%.

“We proved to the world that we were able to open a restaurant and succeed without a man’s supervision,” said Hayek.

—Reuters

Palestinian chef Amena Al-Hayek cooks a meal at the newly-opened women-only restaurant, called Sabaia VIP, in Gaza City September 6, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Get your free copy of Global Heroes, jam-packed with positive news, straight in your inbox.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Global Heroes Podcast

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF GLOBAL HEROES’ POSITIVE NEWS

Subscribe to our Newsletter and Access all issues of Global Heroes News straight in your inbox. 100% free, no purchase necessary, for life. Uplifting stories, highlighting the inspirational efforts of everyday people, celebrities, and organizations, who are diligently working together towards practical solutions to global problems.

FOLLOW US