This publication presents the findings of a study on self-sufficiency, financial independence and entrepreneurship among a group of rural Arab Muslim women in the Jerusalem area and Bedouin women in the Negev, and their views on issues of independence, self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, economic involvement and their legal and social status.

The study was based on 19 in-depth semi-structured interviews. We ascertained socio-demographic characteristics (the women's families, and their educational and professional background), and uncovered information on their self-sufficiency, financial independence, entrepreneurship, and their share in and management of the family economic assets, with special reference to real-estate.

Our findings relate to several domains:
• Familiarity with both the Islamic and civil law relating to real-estate, although tradition and custom outweigh its rightful application.
• The importance of education in empowerment and the entrepreneurial activity of women.
• In the Negev, dominant activity in the spheres of women's groups and organizations, in business activity connected to traditional crafts; and in education, educational management and food and catering services in the Jerusalem area.
• Increased significance of women's roles in the family economy leading to increased self-confidence and their subsequent rise in social and family status.
• Growing independence impacts on decision-making and running of the nuclear family-- family finances, education, purchasing and housekeeping.
• Gradual acceptance of the role of non-married women in controlling real-estate.