Bethlehem – October 20: The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) organized an expanded meeting in Bethlehem on “Women’s Political, Civic, and Community Participation and Women’s Role in National Reconciliation”. The event was held at Doha Women’s Center with 40 participants consisting of citizens, human rights activists, and representatives of political parties, women’s organizations, and government institutions.
PWWSD Bethlehem coordinator, Wujdan Azzeh opened the meeting by discussing the organization’s goals to support and empower women political and socially.
Lawyer, Maysoon Halabiyeh talked about women’s political and civic participation and their role in society, highlighting past experiences of women in decision-making positions, in addition to the obstacles and challenges facing women in policy-making and decision-making.
Feminist activist, Mariam Ismail addressed the code of honor signed by political parties, the electoral lists formed and women’s status in these lists, as well as women’s access to decision-making positions. She noted the internal mental barriers stopping women from pursuing their aspirations.
Director of Women’s Protection and Empowerment Center (MEHWAR), lawyer Basima Jabarin delved into election law saying that it needs to be discussed and amended. She highlighted the number and percentage of women in government departments and electoral lists, focusing on the legislative council. As well as talking about human rights laws and the agreements signed by late President Yasser Arafat, and questioning the extent of their application in Palestine.
Representative of National Forces in Bethlehem, journalist Hasan Abduljawad talked about advancing women economically and women’s access to decision-making and empowerment in their community. He addressed the need for women to support other women in the electoral process, noting that political parties face no real obstacles to women’s electoral access and participation, or to activating women’s role in ending division.
Fatah Bethlehem representative, Mohammad Masri praised women’s mobilizing and its role in educating women and encouraging them to pursue decision-making positions, noting that many women have become ambassadors, leaders, and decision makers. He also praised mothers, as they raise future leaders, then addressing the religious movements that used to be foreign to our country. With their backwards ideology, these movements have become a hindrance to women’s freedom to practice democracy through their right to vote and run for office.
Bethlehem representative of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, Jamal Hamash discussed women’s role in national reconciliation and community participation, as well as women’s access to decision-making positions.
Central Elections Commission Bethlehem director, Abdulnasser Abu-Laban delved into election law, electoral lists, and the Central Elections Commission’s roles, including getting female candidates’ full names and ID numbers and sticking to their list positions.
Abu-Laban talked about women’s quota as a tool to ensure women’s presence, the role of political parties in supporting and involving women in the electoral process, as well as the massive international role in lobbying for elections, as well as addressing the delay in Palestinian elections.
Bethlehem representative of “Patriots to End the Split”, Saleh Abu-Laban mentioned the need to specify women’s priorities, focusing on the economic side, national reconciliation, organizing internal Palestinian policies, and advancing women in a society seeking a better life, free of occupation. He noted that these recommendations are essential in strengthening Palestinian women’s political participation.