ActionAid-Palestine to Close 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence with Awareness Walkathon

Bethlehem-Palestine- ActionAid-Palestine(AAP) concluded 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence(GBV) today , coinciding with the International Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10 of each year, in an awareness walkathon in Cremisan Salesian Monastery-Beit Jala, with the participation of general director of Bethlehem Governorate, Mr. Fauad Salem , the representative of the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Wafaa Al-Araj, in addition to youth groups group of AAP and students of Nursing faculty of Hebron University, women’s organizations and local media. The walkathon included many stations emphasizing the importance of community awareness to combat (GBV) before they joined the closing ceremony of walkathon. The event also included art performances and Dabkeh presented by Juthoor Folk dance troupe and the Red Crescent Society troupe for the deaf and dumb.

This walkathon was organized to conclude activities of awareness lobbying and advocacy of 16 days of Activism Against GBV. Those activities were implemented in partnership with AAP’s partners in Gaza Strip and the West Bank, especially Wefaq Association for Women and Child Care and the Palestinian Development Women Studies Association. Those activities included social media campaigns, murals and billboards were placed on the walls of neighborhoods. There were also awareness activities with youth as cycling for women and challenge competitions. The aims of these activities were to shed the light on the GBV, increase community awareness, organize advocacy and lobbying campaigns and webinars demanding reforming laws, legislating family protection bill, provision of protection and referral services, psychological and legal support to victims and survivors of GBV. They also called to essentially empower women economically and socially prompting their community role and participation in decision making process.

The walkathon was started with the Palestinian national anthem, and then a speech was delivered by country director of AAP , Ibrahim Ibraigheth , in which he welcomed the attendees and the participants and stressed the need to combat violence in all its forms and provide protection for Palestinian women against practices of the Israeli occupation, as it is the first and main reason for the institutionalization of GBV through its systematic and increasing violations of the rights of Palestinian citizens, in contravention of international law that oblige Israel , as an occupying power , to provide protection for them. It is necessary for young men, women and women in Palestine to enjoy safety everywhere, starting from the home, on the street, in school, university and workplace, in society as a whole, and through the virtual space, and the need to support them and grant them all their rights”.

The general director of Bethlehem Governorate, Mr. Fuad Salem, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the important role played by Palestinian women at all levels and emphasized the responsibility of all parties and institutions in promoting women's rights. He also called the international community to fulfill its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people, particularly the Palestinian women and girls who are most affected by the violations of the Israeli occupation, and to necessarily hold Israeli occupation for these violations.

The representative of the Palestinian Ministry of Women's Affairs, Mrs. Wafaa Al-Araj, spoke about the continuation of the work of the Palestinian Ministry of Women's Affairs in highlighting women's issues and issues of GBV. She highlighted work of the ministry in launching various programs and initiatives to ensure access to all Palestinian women and not to leave any of them behind.

AAP works with a number of partners to help women who are subjected to violence, especially in marginalized border areas in Gaza Strip and West Bank, by adopting a holistic approach that includes providing them with protection services, legal representation, legal advice, psychological and social support, and economic empowerment. We also work to organize media campaigns that seek to advocate for women's economic, social and digital rights and to demand protection for them.

Background Information

ActionAid in Palestine (AAP) is a part of global federation working for social justice and gender equality and eradicate poverty in more than 45 countries around the world. AAP started its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian People as ActionAid believes that they should enjoy their rights to freedom, justice and self-determination. AAP implements a number of programs through its engagement with communities and women and youth groups seeking to empower them and enhance their influential civil and political participation to understand their rights and undertake collective activism to address the protracted rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation of Palestine. AAP works simultaneously 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

Coordinator of Advocacy and Communication in Palestine

Mobile:

+972 (0) 595242890

Office:

+972 (0) (2) 22 13 137

Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org