ActionAid Women’s Groups Participate in Joint Activities to Raise Awareness on Breast Cancer Prevention

Hebron – Occupied Palestinian Territory – ActionAid Palestine women’s groups joined other women’s groups in Hebron to participate in the annual Pink October events for breast cancer awareness. The event was jointly organized by ActionAid Palestine, Women for Women Foundation, the College of Nursing at Hebron University, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Friends of the Patient Association–Jerusalem, and Baytna Center–Hebron.

The aim of this activity was to raise awareness of women’s health, with a particular focus on breast cancer, its early detection, and methods of prevention.

The event featured several activities, including physical examinations for women in private rooms. Participants were trained on how to perform breast self-examinations at home for early detection, and on the necessary steps to take if they noticed any warning signs. Women showing symptoms of concern are advised on referral means to relevant organizations. The participating institutions also organized health education sessions on breast health and changes related to breast cancer, as well as group activities addressing the links between mental health, healthy nutrition, and breast cancer.

Women also attended an awareness session that gave breast cancer survivors the opportunity to share their stories and experiences.

The event targeted women from Hebron Governorate, particularly those living in the H2 area (the Old City of Hebron), where women face serious challenges due to restrictions on movement. The presence of 21 Israeli military checkpoints controlling the movement of Palestinians creates major obstacles for healthcare providers trying to reach the area.

Plans are underway to continue these awareness sessions with further activities aimed at enhancing women’s health awareness to help them face potential health challenges. According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Palestine.

About ActionAid International
ActionAid International is a global federation working with more than 41 million people in over 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive to build a just and sustainable world where every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom, and a future free from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty.

ActionAid Palestine began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, affirming their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs in collaboration with Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women, seeking to empower women and youth and enhance their active civic and political participation. The organization works to strengthen their understanding of rights, support collective action to address rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation and improve their leadership capacities to exercise citizenship and hold authorities and other duty-bearers accountable.

For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy Officer, ActionAid Palestine
Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org