The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development organizes a Workshop on the Importance of Women’s Political Participation

Gaza: the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development organized a workshop at the Association of Women Committees for Social Work in Gaza under the name “Women and the Political Participation”. Tens of feminist activists, housewives and representatives of the political parties attended.

The civic educator at the PWWSD Hanan Siam spoke about the history of Palestinian women’s political participation since the 20s of last century, to the first Intifada in 1987, and the second Intifada in 2000. She also talked about the types of political participation represented in the legislative elections, which led many women to the legislative council.

Siam also talked about the “quota”, which came as a result of the feminist movement’s efforts, which has empowered women, and increased their ability to compete and hold critical positions like men.

The participants expressed their own understanding of political participation, which is not excluded to legislative elections, and nominating the legislative council members, as it also includes accountability. Whereas other women shared their experience at home where they are involved in the decision making process within their families.

During the workshop, women candidates shared their experiences in the legislative council elections in 1996, which they described as a total failure because it hasn’t achieved any social change as aspired. None of the candidates had fulfilled their promises or electoral campaigns. In 2006, women have acquired political and electoral awareness which helped them through their second electoral journey, despite the repetitive failures and disappointments.

Participants expressed their will and need to exert more workshops and awareness campaigns, especially on political participation, in order to empower and strengthen their role in society, through knowing their rights.