ActionAid Palestine to Support an Accountability Session on Family Protection Bill in Gaza during 16 Days Campaign for ending GBV
Demanding Enforcement of Palestinian Family Protection Bill
The local Rights and Resilience(LRP) funded by Denmark’s development cooperation- (Danida) and implemented by ActionAid Palestine (AAP) supported an accountability session on the issue of “ Family Protection Bill” targeting more than 29 people .It was organized by Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care based in Rafah -Gaza within the activities of 16 Days Joint Campaign to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) discussing issues related to Palestinian Family Protection Bill.
The participants in this session includes representatives of police, GBV protection services providers, ministry of social development ,judicial reform department, family protection police, key political and national figures, local committees , women centers, women union and public and feminist activists and leaders.
It aimed to stress the role of security organizations in enforcing laws in cases of GBV and holding people who commit GBV accountable and activate mechanisms that could foster legislating Palestinian family protection bill. One of the goals is to raise the issue of the Family protection bill among the public highlighting its importance in protecting the family and women . The session raised issues and questions regarding GBV cases resulting from lack of family protection bill and sensitivity of Gaza strip in terms of legislation, increase in divorce cases causing an increase in GBV against women and threats of protection and increase of early marriage cases in Gaza .
The participants recommended that effective partnership should be built between organizations to combat GBV as security units and police cannot alone stop honour killings crimes against women. The y also highlighted the importance of advocacy and lobbying campaigns advocating for enforcing Family protection bill and cancel light sentence and laws for punishing persons committing honour killing crimes against women. Raising awareness sessions on GBV issues in public facilities and centers should be conducted by different services providers in this field.
Ra’afat Lafi, legal advisor said that “ legislating family protection bill should be fostered, and family courts should be created”.
Buthiana Subih said that: “ the problem in GBV is lack of law enforcement”.
The Family Protection Bill, regarded as the first step to prevent gender-based violence, protects survivors of gender-based violence and holds perpetrators accountable, has not been passed yet in Palestine, despite the high anticipation and demand from various national and international actors. National women’s organizations and international actors supporting women’s rights have been advocating for the adoption of the Bill for 15 years to safeguard fundamental human rights of women and girls to live a life free from violence, however, without yet seeing the actual adoption of the Bill.
Background Information
ActionAid
ActionAid is ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. It is a leading international charity working in over 45 countries. We work with the poorest women and children in the world, changing their lives for good. Our local staff provide immediate, hands-on support to women and children living on the margins of survival. Together we demand action at local, national and international level. We don’t walk away until we’ve achieved lasting change.
ActionAid in Palestine (AAP) started as a program of ActionAid Australia (formerly Austcare) in 2007 and was approved as an ActionAid Country Program, managed by the International Secretariat in 2012. AAP works to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian communities, building the active agency of women and young people to understand their rights and undertake collective activism to address the protracted rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation of Palestine. In its engagement with communities, AAP works simultaneously with women and youth groups to enhance their leadership capacity and knowledge to practice their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers to account.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Riham Jafari
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