"It Must Work” a Palestinian Campaign to Support Palestinian Unity

"It Must Work”  a Palestinian Campaign to Support Palestinian Unity

The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development and Filistinyat, in cooperation with other youth organizations, launched campaign “It Must Work”  on Monday to end the Palestinian conflict and push for internal unity between Fateh and Hamas. Many women, men and youngsters marched from the Presidential Headquarters at Al-Mukataa towards the Clock Square, raising slogans that demanded: “The reconciliation either works or works! Palestinian is bigger than a government or a minister! One step closer to elections!”

The campaign was launched in parallel with the Central Elections Commission’s visit to the Gaza Strip in order to initiate CEC spots to update the voters’ records. The CEC is preparing for Palestinian elections, and has started negotiations with the government to form a technocrat government.

Campaign “It Must Work” aims to pressure Hamas and Fateh to end the conflict and commit to the reconciliation. The participants ask for a technocrat government, and a suitable environment for presidential, parliamentary and PLO’s elections.

The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development organized workshops on the reality and future of the local elections

Within project “Empowering the Role of Marginalized Women in Local Elections Right in Palestine” implemented by the Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development, and in partnership with the Central Elections Commission and funded by the UNP, the PWWSD’s coordinator in Tulkarem implemented six workshops in Bel’a and Attile on the future, reality and importance of elections to promote democracy.

Coordinator Maali Abu Mousa conducted several educational activities, which covered issues like active citizenship, the importance of elections and the operating electoral laws. Many feminist activists and members of local councils participated in the activities, in addition to potential candidates who participated to learn from the experience, especially from the marginalized areas.  

Abu Mousa talked about civil, social and economic, political rights earned through active citizenship, and the ways to practice these rights through elections. Abu Mousa stressed the need to hold the elections as soon as possible assuring its transparency and credibility. She also talked about the influence of the current political and judiciary environment on elections.

The participants asked for joint official efforts to promote women’s participation in the elections as voters and candidates. The participants also called for the adoption of a national strategy which promotes women’s participation in the decision-making circles.

Opening of Anabta Cooperative will empower Women

Tulkarem: In cooperation with ACAD and CESVI; funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development opens Anaba Cooperative in Tulkarem. The cooperative was founded within project “Launching Micro-Credit Projects for Women”, which aim to promote women’s role in society, and provide sources of income for women in the city of Tulkarem.

Tulkarem faces difficult economic conditions, therefore the participants in the project strived to found Anabta Cooperative to promote and market women’s products and handicrafts.  

The foundation of Anabta Cooperative was the fruit of prolonged efforts put by the cooperative’s 29 members, with the support of the PWWSD, CESVI and ACAD. PWWSD’s coordinator in Tulkarem, and both of ACAD’s and CESVI’s general directors, in addition to the Representative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the need to continue to support similar projects, which assist in women’s empowerment. 

The cooperative was registered in January 2012 in the Cooperation Department in the Palestinian Ministry of Labor.

PWWSD organizes two Workshops in Opened University in Bethlehem

Bethlehem, the psycho-social program at the Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development in Bethlehem conducted a meeting with a group of students from AlQuds Opened University. Civic educator Rula Shweiki talked about social responsibility young people have towards their society. She connected the issue of social responsibility with personal freedom, as she confirmed the imperative harmony between both. Shweiki pointed out that responsibility is tied to citizen’s obligations towards their society, as well as to community work, in order to achieve concrete development. The participants emphasized the need to involve young people in community and social work in order to build their personalities and teach them to take social responsibility towards their society.

The PWWSD organized an open-meeting with the trained students from AlQuds Opened University, who have attended training on women’s right to inheritance in Bethlehem University. Tens of students and academics attended the meeting, which focused on the issue of inheritance and its importance for women and men. Ibrahim Shaaer, the president of AlQuds Opened University, and civic educator Rula Shweiki talked about the issue of inheritance and the psychological and social effects women encounter when denied of this right. Cheikh Abdelmajid Ata talked the religious and judiciary aspects of the inheritance.

The film “AlMahjouba” was screened during the meeting.

PWWSD conducts Workshop on Effects of Sexual Assaults on Children

Tulkarem: The Psycho-social program at the Palestinian Working Women’s Society in cooperation with The Opened University in Tulkarem organized a session under the name:  The effects of sexual assaults on children.

Dr. Hussni Awad, lecturer at AlQuds Opened University emphasized the role of civil society organizations in training fresh students in psycho-social issues, and the possible ways of treating these problems. The students develop their advocacy and interpersonal skills both on the personal and professional level.  

Muthanna Abu Saa’, the supervisor of the familial consultation unit in the Ministry talked about the importance of the consultation unit in the intervention in the cases of sexual assault against children. “Measures are taken to protect children and save them. Some are referred to the Social Affairs unit in the ministry”.

Councilor Sherine Tahhan from the PWWSD talked about the physical, behavioral, psychological and emotional effects of sexual abuse against children. Tahhan indicated that society attends more to sexual assault against women because it is connected to women’s virginity and honor. She confirmed that male victims also suffer from the same effects after sexual harassment. She also emphasized the importance of sexual education and guidance, and the role of the media and its effects on children.

During the workshop, a film was screened on how to help children recover from sexual abuse.

Lawyer Elham Kharraz explored the legal aspect of sexual harassment against children. She talked about the consequent legal punishments, and how the law deals with sexual abuse against children. Kharraz emphasized the need to educate society about similar crimes, and the role of all organizations to pressure for a Palestinian penal code that criminalizes assaults against children.

In the end of the workshop, the participants recommended the inclusion of sexual education in the school curricula, and also the organization of educational workshops for parents and teachers, so that the problem does not evolve to a phenomenon.  

Opening of Anabta Cooperative will empower Women

Tulkarem: In cooperation with ACAD and CESVI; funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development opens Anaba Cooperative in Tulkarem. The cooperative was founded within project “Launching Micro-Credit Projects for Women”, which aim to promote women’s role in society, and provide sources of income for women in the city of Tulkarem.

Tulkarem faces difficult economic conditions, therefore the participants in the project strived to found Anabta Cooperative to promote and market women’s products and handicrafts.   

The foundation of Anabta Cooperative was the fruit of prolonged efforts put by the cooperative’s 29 members, with the support of the PWWSD, CESVI and ACAD. PWWSD’s coordinator in Tulkarem, and both of ACAD’s and CESVI’s general directors, in addition to the Representative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the need to continue to support similar projects, which assist in women’s empowerment.  

The cooperative was registered in January 2012 in the Cooperation Department in the Palestinian Ministry of Labor.