Ramallah – The Euro-med Feminist Initiative, in cooperation with partner organizations in Palestine, namely the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) and the Federation of Women’s Action Committees, held the regional platform for dialogue on gender, titled “Strengthening the Role of Women in Society: Promoting Gender Equality on the Basis of Protection, Security, and Participation in the Decision-Making Process”. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Plaza Hotel – Ramallah. A number of ministers and parliamentary blocs participated in the dialogue, as well as representatives of political parties, the PLO, and civil society, in addition to diplomatic bodies, consuls, European state representatives in Palestine, and UN committee delegates.
The director general of the Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA) moderated the opening session, which included Swedish Consul General H.E. Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Head of the General Union for Palestinian Women Ms. Intesar Alwazir, EU representative Alessandra Viezzer, and Special Representative of UN Women in Palestine Ms. Sabine Machl. DFLP political office member Ms. Majida al-Masri opened the session speaking for the Euro-med Feminist Initiative, and noting the aim of this national dialogue roundtable to integrate decision-makers and strong state actors in a dialogue on gender equality before the next ministerial conference. She formulized a clear joint vision for utilizing international tools for the protection and security of Palestinian women, in order to hold the next ministerial conference accountable for its duties, including pressuring Israel to adhere to the Paris conference resolutions and international humanitarian law, in terms of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. She added that we also must enable civil society organizations to utilize UfM ministerial conclusions as a tool to strengthen women’s status in society, issue a policy document to achieve gender equality on a regional level, and continue to strengthen the sustained regional process.
Ms. Siham Barghouti moderated the first session, which included Minister of Justice Mr. Ali Abou Diak, Minister of Women’s Affairs Dr. Haifa al-Agha, and PWWSD Director General Ms. Amal Khreishe. The session highlighted the role of the Euro-med network, the Paris conference resolutions, and the ministerial conclusions. Khreishe addressed the outcomes of the regional dialogue in Amman that delved into an analysis of the social, economic, and political context in the region, and its effects on women. Abou Diak and al-Agha pointed out the government’s work on legislation for protecting women from violence, the continued support of the presidency for Palestinian women, and the attention it pays to making sure women hold sensitive positions in the decision-making process. The two ministers also mentioned that there still are discriminatory laws, but that we are on a path to amend national legislation in accordance with the agreements signed by the State of Palestine.
Fateh Revolutionary Council member Ms. Dalal Salameh moderated the second session, which included Director of Al Haq Mr. Sha’wan Jabareen, and Coordinator of the Palestinian Women Coalition to Implement UNSCR 1325 Ms. Rema Nazal. The session addressed international accountability in Palestinian women’s right to protection, security, and self-determination. Nazal said that UNSCR 1325 has been linked to international resolutions on the Palestinian cause, and specifically to international humanitarian law, as the resolution alone does not create peace, and that this network itself is a tool for strengthening women’s role in society. Jabareen noted that the right to self-determination and ending the occupation are unwavering rights for the Palestinian people, and they are essential components of any human rights dialogue.
Legal Supervisor in the Governorate of Nablus Ms. Lina Abd Alhadi moderated the third session on gender equality between reality and the law, which included Assistant Undersecretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs Mr. Dawoud Al-Deik, General Director of Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling Ms. Randa Saniora, and General Secretary of the Fida Party Ms. Zahera Kamal.
Ms. Rana Nashashibi moderated the fourth session, which included PFLP political office member Ms. Khalida Jarrar, DFLP Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Qais Abu Laila, Fateh Central Committee member Ms. Amal Hamad, Palestinian National Initiative representative Dr. Khadija Jarrar, and Secretary General of the Palestinian People’s Party Mr. Bassam Al Salhi. The session addressed the priorities and opportunities in Palestine, in terms of implementing the ministerial conclusions and gender equality legislation, on the basis of protection and security under Israeli occupation. Each speaker in this session focused on linking women’s political, social, and democratic participation with the overall local context, and they noted the significance of democratic community work in the work of women’s organizations.
The fifth and final session was for recommendations, and it included the Chairwoman of the Federation of Women’s Action Committees Ms. Nada Twear, Executive Director of the Euro-med Feminist Initiative Ms. Boriana Jonsson, and Chairwoman of Women’s Technical Affairs Committee Ms. Samia Bamia. The regional platform formulated the following general principles and recommendations: focusing on the occupation and its impact on women, and the commitment of UfM states to ending the occupation and holding Israel accountable for its violations of international humanitarian law and UNSCR 1325. As well as focusing on cooperation with political parties and human rights organizations, in order to activate and broaden women’s participation in political life and decision-making. In addition to working on developing international advocacy and solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the rights of Palestinian women. It is worth noting that all analyses highlighted the occupation’s violence as well as societal violence. This requires adapting national law in accordance with CEDAW, in order to achieve full equality and combat discrimination in all its forms, specifically discrimination against women.
It is worth mentioning that this regional roundtable will be followed by other national roundtables in participating countries, as well as dialogues between different bodies to discuss the conclusions and outcomes, and present them at the fourth ministerial conference on the Euro-med partnership agreement.