Businesswoman challenges traditions in Palestine

A successful company in Palestine has set a precedent in becoming the first firm to be headed by a female in the Muslim country. The stock market is a land heavily dominated by men. Women are a rare sight on the trading floor, even in Western countries, not to mention the even more conservative Arab world. Nonetheless, Ruba Masrouji, from the city of Ramallah, has become the first female head of a brokerage company in Palestine. “The road to success was a difficult one. It was hard for many men to put up with a female presence in business, but now I can say I deserved it,” Ruba said.