International Day for Eradicating Poverty – 17 October 2011

In regards to the International Day for Eradicating Poverty, 17 October 2011, the Palestinian Working Women for Society Development (PWWSD) issues the following statement: Eradicating extreme poverty is at the top of the agenda of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) set by the Millennium Summit. The theme for this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty “Working together out of poverty” highlights the need for a global anti-poverty alliance, one in which both developed and developing countries participate actively. Equally as important, it is a process where both men and women are to be equally included and held responsible for its success 

.The Palestinian Working Women Society for Development (PWWSD) recognizes that empowering women is an important part of working to eradicating poverty. The PWWSD works intensely to raise awareness of women’s issues and to empower women to become a fully integrated part in the Palestinian economy and the decision making process. It is not until women are fully included into civil society that we can achieve this goal.

Women in Palestine suffer from both social exclusion and discrimination which makes them extremely vulnerable to poverty and poverty-related sufferings. As the Palestinian economy is suffering increasingly from the Israeli occupation and the financial crisis, the women of Palestine are forced to bear the heaviest burden. We at the Palestinian Working Women Society for Development (PWWSD) call upon the world leaders to support the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations. It is not until Palestine is free from occupation that the people of Palestine can truly make their way out of poverty.