Ramallah – September 21: The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) is honored to announce that 51 women from the shadow councils formed by the organization in all governorates are running for local elections. PWWSD considers this step a critical and clear indicator of women’s awareness and deep belief in their ability to serve their community.
The organization also congratulates women on heading eight electoral lists: one in the Gaza Strip and seven in the West Bank. This indicates a recognition by community institutions and political parties that there are powerful women who have proven themselves in the community. In addition to 120 women running independently and from various political parties and powers, who have received training programs as well as awareness, mobilization, community, and developmental activities.
PWWSD affirms that it will continue working and intensifying its efforts targeting women’s empowerment and support on all levels. The organization believes that women’s awareness of their rights is the first step, to be followed by the provision of a suitable environment and tools enabling women to achieve their rights, and use them to seek a life with dignity based on equality and parity.
In this context, PWWSD seeks to organize women in lobbying bodies and to integrate them in existing bodies, by forming “shadow councils” in the West Bank originally, and expanding them to the Gaza Strip this year.
The organization notes that shadow councils are support committees for the work of elected local councils, and they aim to increase women’s participation in political and social life, as well as supporting female candidates in the upcoming elections, in addition to raising their awareness of their political rights. Shadow councils also work on building the capacities of women leaders through daily mobilizing and involvement in planning activates to strengthen Palestinian women’s political participation.
PWWSD emphasizes the importance of these councils as a support network for the work of local elected councilwomen in performing their duties, by offering advice and consultation on the needs of the village or town, particularly women’s needs.
Shadow councils contribute to supporting local elected councilwomen, introducing women to their political and social rights, encouraging women’s social and political participation through active membership in shadow councils.
PWWSD established the idea of shadow councils years ago at a number of West Bank locations. This came after consultation with women’s clubs and women’s organizations on techniques for supporting women in local councils. The shadow councils became a link between councilwomen and the community, particularly women, by following up on town issues and concerns and trying to find solutions in collaboration with municipalities and relevant organizations.
The organization believes that women’s ability to lead is the foundation of a cumulative process to integrate women in decision-making positions as an essential step towards empowerment. There is a need to develop women’s leadership abilities through training workshops, built on a belief in raising women’s awareness of their role in leading the community.
End of statement.