Workshops on Women's Right of Inheritance and Psychological Counseling

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development conducted a workshop on Educating Women of their Right of Inheritance in Sateh Marhaba, Ramallah on Thursday. Working women and housewives participated in the workshop.

The civic educator, Mrs. Naela Oudeh accentuated the importance of women's awareness of their right of inheritance, which is protected by law and religion. She stated that overcoming the social norms which prevent women from collecting their share of inheritance, therefore protecting their right of inheritance, leads to women's economic empowerment and independence, which will positively affect their social conditions and status. Yet, this can only be achieved through educating women, and through dialogue and debates.

Odeh explained that few women manage to secure their share of inheritance, while most women seek bank loans to start projects which can help improve their lives.

The participants defined the concept of inheritance, those who benefit from it, its terms, inheritance limitation and women's rights concerning inheritance, as well as the time during which inheritance should be defined, and the manners of distributing inheritance, and other concepts and terms related to theme of the workshop.

The organization has also organized various workshops in Jaba, Bet Lekia, and Silwad in the Ramllah region, on counsilong, and the importance of psychological assistance, and on how to deal with children, and how to raise them especially during adolescence. Housewives, therapists, and social worker Ala' Knais gave short lectures, and shared their experiences at the workshop.

The workshops are to achieve the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development's goal of women's empowerment, especially in how to raise adolescent children and how to communicate with woman and the local community.

The PWWSD hosts an Open-Day in Nablus

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development has organized a three-day activity of entertainment in Nablus. The activity was directed at children and their mothers, within the "Children's Centre" project in order to engage different sectors of children who live in drastic social and economic conditions. The project aims to contribute in correcting the negative behaviors of children, through entertainment and by allowing children the space to speak up.

The first day of activities took place in Hussein Essabagh School, where school students were engaged in educational games, storytelling and singing performances. Mothers, because of Mother's Day, were also involved in some Icebreaking activities like drawing on faces. While clowns performed and sang to the audience. Greeting cards were distributed on the mothers and the children by the end of the day, on the occasion of Mother's Day.

Around 200 children and 40 women participated in the activities, as well as many volunteers who helped organize the event.

In the Cultural Centre of the Village of Der Abou Meshal in Ramallah, The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development organized a workshop in coordination with the safe motherhood committee in the village, on empowering Palestinian women's participation in the public life.  The workshop hosted the social worker Ms. Khitam Zahran and many other women.

The PWWSD Organizes Entertainment Events in Nablus

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development has organized a three-day activity of entertainment in Nablus. The activity was directed at children and their mothers, within the "Children's Centre" project in order to engage different sectors of children who live in drastic social and economic conditions. The project aims to contribute in correcting the unacceptable behaviors of children, through entertainment and by allowing children the space to speak up.

The first day of activities took place in Hussein Essabagh School, where school students were engaged in educational games, storytelling and singing performances. Mothers, because of Mother's Day, were also involved in some Icebreaking activities like drawing on faces. While clowns performed and sang to the audience. Greeting cards were distributed on the mothers and the children by the end of the day, on the occasion of Mother's Day.

Around 200 children and 40 women participated in the activities, as well as many volunteers who helped organize the event.

In the Cultural Centre of the Village of Der Abou Meshal in Ramallah, The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development organized a workshop in coordination with the safe motherhood committee in the village, on empowering Palestinian women's participation in the public life.  The workshop hosted the social worker Ms. Khitam Zahran and many other women.

Celebration of launching the Denied Inheritance Project

 

Under the auspices of the Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayad, and in cooperation with the Minister of Social Affairs Mrs. Majida Massri, the Representative of the European Union, representatives of the Supreme Court of Justice, muftis, representatives of the feminist organizations, journalists, lawyers, and social activists, the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development and the YMCA celebrated the launching of the Denied Inheritance Project on Tuesday in Al-Bireh. The ceremony included a cemeronial graduation of trainees from different grassroots organizations who participated in the project from across the OPT, finishing 120 hours of training in combating gender discrimination in property, lobbying and advocacy, leadership, media and outreach skills.
 

The Director General of the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development Mrs. Amal Khreishe stated that the project aims to enable women to enjoy their rights of property, by empowering them socially, politically and economically. She emphasized social lobbying, and the importance of women's empowerment, consequently improving their status in society and their independence. On her behalf, the minister of Social Affairs confirmed the importance of women's right of inheritance in order to improve their social and economic conditions. The minister pointed out that the issue has to be addressed locally and regionally. The EU representative talked about many projects funded by the EU in the Palestinian Territories, and the importance of this project in particular, which accentuates women's effective participation in society. 

The representative for the Danish Church Aid addressed the importance of this project to achieve social change, which consequently improves women's conditions and empowers grassroots organizations. Andre Bataresh of the YMCA, emphasized the importance of the project to women's empowerment.

Randa Salibi, trainee, gave the graduation speech, and she also stressed the importance of women's participation in society, and their role in changing their reality.
 

The ceremony included a short Dabkeh performance, and was concluded with handing out certificates for the trainees.

اخدوا 150 ساعة تدريبية في

مهارات القيادة، الاعلام ومخاطبة الجمهور، المفاوضات، التعبئة/ الضغط، حل الصراعات

الهدف تمكين النساء للحصول على حقهن في الميراث والملكية

وتعديلات الاجراءات القانونية بما يضمن انهن النساء ياخدوا حقوقهن في الميراث

الخريجات عددهن حوالي خمسين واحد وواحدة، جايين من 15 مؤسسة قاعدية ومن مؤسسات المجتمع المدني وفي كمان محامين ومحاميات، صحفيين وصحفيات وناشطي عمل مدني

الخريجات والخريجين من كل محافظات الضفة

اخدوا 150 ساعة تدريبية في

مهارات القيادة، الاعلام ومخاطبة الجمهور، المفاوضات، التعبئة/ الضغط، حل الصراعات

الهدف تمكين النساء للحصول على حقهن في الميراث والملكية

وتعديلات الاجراءات القانونية بما يضمن انهن النساء ياخدوا حقوقهن في الميراث

الخريجات عددهن حوالي خمسين واحد وواحدة، جايين من 15 مؤسسة قاعدية ومن مؤسسات المجتمع المدني وفي كمان محامين ومحاميات، صحفيين وصحفيات وناشطي عمل مدني

الخريجات والخريجين من كل محافظات الضفة

اخدوا 150 ساعة تدريبية في

مهارات القيادة، الاعلام ومخاطبة الجمهور، المفاوضات، التعبئة/ الضغط، حل الصراعات

Round-Table Discussion on Minimum Wage

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development has arranged a round-table discussion with the Minister of Labor Mr. Ahmed Madjalani, the chief of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Mrs. Ola Awad, and the general secretary of the Labor Syndicates Union Mr. Shaher Saed, as well as many representatives of feminist, youth organizations, committees and workers from different sectors. The discussion focused on the importance of approving a minimum wage, which goes along with the increasing living costs, and everyday life necessities. 

The general director of the PWWSD, Mrs. Amal Khreishe said that the Ministry of Labor has to confine a  minimum rate for wages, in accordance to the Palestinian Labor Law No.7. However, the issue hasn’t yet been addressed. Mrs. Khreishe indicated that the Arab revolutions which advocate the concepts of democracy and social rights, are intrinsically and necessarily connected to the essential human rights, like the right of decent work and social protection. Therefore, taking into consideration the exceptional Palestinian conditions, enforced by the Israeli Occupation, it is crucial  to set a minimum rate for wages, which validates the workers' human rights, and affirms the national attempts to empower the human resources in order to face the Israeli occupation and build an independent Palestinian State.

On his part, Dr. Ahmed Madjalani spoke of the ministry's attempts to promote the habit of social dialogue on a large scale, for this fosters domestic peace, and helps achieve economic growth and strengthens the social and national fabrics. The minister sees in issuing a minimum wage, a chance to provide new job opportunities, decent and in agreement with the increasing living costs.  

Mr. Majdalani explained the standards which must be recognized when setting a minimum wage. These must fulfill the workers' needs, and correspond to the general rate of wages, the living costs, and the several deductions for the health insurance, the economic factors, the development requirements and the unskilled workers' standard of living, adding that the minimum wage will include the marginalized and vulnerable population. 

The chief of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Mrs. Ola Awad, presented an overview of the workers' conditions in the OPT, the economic conditions, unemployment and the minimum wage, clarifying that unemployment rateshave increased incredibly.

It is importance to say that the poverty line, according to statistical studies is 2196 NIS, while the line for extreme poverty is 1200 NIS. The participants insisted on establishing a committee which will supervise setting a minimum wage, and help achieve the workers' demands in the different sectors.

O n his part, Mr. Shaher Saed, stated that the union is committed to make consistent efforts in order to confine a minimum wage, through social dialogues and a just fight to fulfill workers' rights. He hinted that the legislations concerning workers can not be activated without introducing a minimum wage. He also mentioned that the union has issued a petition that demands a fixed minimum rate for wages. The petition was signed by over 100 thousand workers, which Saed considered an essential effort to support workers and combat poverty and unemployment.

Demonstration to Kalandya Checkpoint on the 8th of March

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development took part in organizing the massive feminist demonstration which took place on Tuesday Mar 8, to celebrate the International Women's Day. The march took off from Kalandia refugee camp towards Kalandya checkpoint, during which women waved Palestinian flags and banners that exclaim an end to the Palestinian political division. 

Headed by the General Director of the PWWSD Mrs. Amal Khreishe, and the Minister of Woman's Affairs Mrs. Rabiha, the participating women demanded an end to the Palestinian political division and to the Israeli occupation, as well as the freedom of all the political prisoners in the Israeli prisons.