Ramallah – September 28: The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) held a meeting on Wednesday at its Ramallah headquarters on “Shadow Councils and Women’s Role in Political Participation”.
PWWSD Tulkarim Educator Maali Barqawi, Director General at the Ministry of Local Government’s Gender Unit Hanan Mseih, and PWWSD Field Educator Nema Assaf, attended the meeting along with a number of West Bank shadow council members.
Maali Barqawi said that the idea of forming shadow councils is an innovative initiative by PWWSD, which led to the organization recently winning the Manara Award, bringing the shadow council experience to regional recognition. She noted that it is essential to network and coordinate with the Ministry of Local Government in supporting women’s political participation with local councilwomen. As shadow councils constitute a support body for councilwomen’s work. Barqawi added that this meeting brings a new level of exchanging experiences among shadow council members, and re-introduces the Ministry of Local Government’s role.
Hanan Mseih said that women’s political participation, particularly in local governing bodies, is an essential experience for Palestinian women, who have proven themselves as leaders and policy-makers. The role of women’s organizations lies in supporting women to access decision-making positions. PWWSD has worked for decades and has proven its important national and feminist vision. Today, the organization continues to show its support through the shadow council initiative across Palestinian governorates. These committees work to strengthen women and build women leaders capable of joining and excelling in the next elected local councils.
Mseih praised the role of shadow councils in networking with local councils and the Ministry of Local Government, highlighting some obstacles faced by women that have been presented to the Gender Unit at the Ministry. She then listened to a number of questions and recommendations by shadow council members, regarding increasing support for shadow councils by involving them in local council activities and in planning local council programs.
Field Educator, Nema Assaf emphasized the significance of shadow councils in supporting local councilwomen, and facilitating the upcoming election process for female candidates and voters. In addition to changing the stereotypical image of women and increasing their political, social, and volunteer participation, in order to bring positive change to the community.
One participant, Reema Ali said that this meeting helped introduce the experience of existing shadow councils in many governorates, in addition to broadening relations with new shadow councils, and expanding women’s participation in municipal and village councils.
Another participant, Sireen Naji said that she felt a willingness by the Ministry of Local Government to help achieve women’s demands, emphasizing the need for women to be aware of their role and to be active in their community.