×
MIFTAH was granted a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations' ECOSOC
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH was granted a special consultative status to work with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), through which MIFTAH seeks to contribute to promoting the Palestinian narrative and international advocacy based on international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions related to the Palestinian cause. The ECOSOC is the principal organ that coordinates the economic, social, environmental and related work of the 14 United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, and social and environmental issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system. ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda. ECOSOC has been the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs. ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation What is Consultative Status? Consultative Status is an accreditation framework that benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views according to ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20. NGOs with Consultative Status can work with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in various ways, including in consultation with Member States. They can also contribute to a number of activities including information dissemination, awareness raising, development education, policy advocacy, joint operational projects, participation in intergovernmental processes and in the contribution of services and technical expertise An NGO with consultative status can attend international conferences and events, make written and oral statements at these events, organize side events, enter United Nations premises, and have opportunities to network and lobby. MIFTAH considers obtaining this Consultative Status timely and paramount to begin organizing its participation through the Council's sessions during 2021.
×
Signing ceremony for new cooperation agreement between MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office
Ramallah – MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office to the PA signed on Monday, November 26 a new one-year cooperation agreement in a ceremony held in Ramallah. Head of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, signed on behalf of MIFTAH while Norwegian representative, Ms. Hilde Haralstad signed on behalf of the Norwegian Representative Office. During her speech at the signing, Dr. Ashrawi said, "For the past 18 years the Norwegian Representative Office has been one of the oldest and most significant of MIFTAH's supporters in its efforts towards promoting the principles of democracy and good governance in Palestine”. She also said this support was a continuation of the crucial work at this stage in supporting and empowering young leaders and women as change-makers, saying it gives this sector the ability to influence and change, especially in light of the difficult circumstances and challenges of the current political stage. Ashrawi also reiterated the importance of collective efforts in a coordinated and holistic manner between the various parties, which inevitably lead to change. Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed the Norwegian support for the Palestinian cause, expressing hope that Norway and other likeminded countries continue to stand on the right side of human rights and good governance and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, justice and statehood. She concluded her speech by expressing sadness for Ms. Haralstad's departure from Palestine, where she has served since 2016. Meanwhile, Ms. Haralstad confirmed Norway's continued support for Palestine in its quest for statehood and human rights. She said she was proud to have partnered with an institution that supports the principles of democracy and good governance and which works for women's and youth issues such as MIFTAH. She also stressed on the important role Palestinian civil society institutions play in supporting the Women's Peace and Security agenda and expressed her sadness for leaving Palestine, saying she would continue to support the Palestinian cause. The signing was attended by women's and rights institutions in addition to MIFTAH board members, representatives from the General Union of Palestinian Women and representatives from other MIFTAH funders and partners.
×
'Right to Health' campaign launched
Ramallah – In line with national efforts to support and promote the stability of Palestinians on their land through improving health services, a coalition of Palestinian civil society organizations (MIFTAH, ARIJ, AMAN) recently launched a campaign entitled, “Right to Health (R2H)”. This campaign was launched after the aforementioned institutions prepared the necessary reports to assess the availability of services offered to citizens, especially in isolated residential areas known as “Area C.” The reports included government revenue analysis and identified government spending priorities, which contribute to improving services in the social sector in general and the health sector in particular. The reports provide evidence and killer facts that support relevant parties to advocate towards better access to health services for citizens in isolated and marginalized areas. The campaign addresses facts and figures, most significantly pertaining to the weakness of health services, especially in Area C and in regards to tax exemptions granted to big corporates of up to NIS50 million annually. Hence, the campaign R2H presented solutions for the government to benefit from these exemptions by redirecting the money to the benefit of the Ministry of Health to improve health services. Furthermore, the reports pointed out that the Ministry of Health suffers from a shortage of nurses and midwives in Palestine by 33% and that only 4% of the medical staff serves nearly 720,000 citizens living in rural areas. The R2H campaign seeks to increase the budget allocations of the Ministry of Health to reinsure the right of all citizens to health care in accordance to the international Human rights treaties and conventions, in addition the R2H campaign contributes to shedding light on means for implementation of the 2017-2022 national policies agenda which includes “Comprehensive and quality health care available to all.” The R2H campaign is expected to mobilize citizens’ to pressure the Ministry of Finance and Planning to increasing government’s expenditures on health programs and services that target citizens in marginalized areas, therefore improving their access to better health care through providing sufficient medial staff, equipment and medicines.
×
Memo of understanding and cooperation between Ministry of Education and MIFTAH
Ramallah – 1/10/2019 – The Ministry of Education and MIFTAH signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation to continue MIFTAH’s interventions as part of its “Finance for Development” project, which it implements in partnership with and support from OXFAM. The project’s objective is to promote the principles of transparency, integrity and accountability and to apply the principle of monitoring over public expenditure policies within state-run institutions. This is achieved through training and enabling a budget preparation team and specialized parties to formulate a fiscal policy for the education ministry that embodies a participatory approach which would guarantee that the ministry’s public budget falls within the context of a community participatory system. It also aims for sectors targeted by the ministry in its programs and interventions to have a key role in formulating the public budget so that official fiscal policies are more responsive to the needs of various social sectors, in particular the poor and marginalized. It should be noted that this MoU covers a limited time period, beginning on September 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2020. The goal is to carry out the interventions of the aforementioned project in its second phase, for the fourth year running, which began on January 1, 2019. The MoU, as mentioned in one of its stipulations, is a confirmation of the continued mutual strategic understanding between the two parties whereby the two parties have built on the outputs of this cooperation since 2017. This has been achieved through the Ministry of Education’s follow-up on promoting the participatory approach in the formulation of fiscal policies and integrating targeted sectors into fiscal decision-making in order to guarantee that their basic needs are met. Meanwhile, MIFTAH seeks to recruit the necessary funding based on these outputs in order to resume the strategic understanding and joint cooperation through a new MoU between the two parties in the coming years.
×
Ministry of Local Government and MIFTAH sign MoU on promoting women's political participation in local government
Al Bireh – Minister of Local Government, Majdi Saleh and Youssef Dajani, representing MIFTAH’s Board of Directors, signed a Memo of Understanding [MoU] aimed at building a strategic partnership to promote women’s political participation in local government. The two parties expressed their desire to build a relationship based on partnership and cooperation to promote the leadership role of women in local government in addition to amending, developing and supporting gender institutionalization in LGUs, whether in regards to the role of their female members and staff or to services provided to communities. The MoU was signed at a meeting held at the Ministry’s offices in Al Bireh on July 11, which was attended by Deputy Minister Mohammed Hassan Jabarin, Assistant Deputy for Governorate Affairs, Abdel Karim Sidr, Gender Director General at the Ministry, Ms. Asma’ Kharroub, the Ministry’s team and MIFTAH team. Saleh said that this “understanding stems from both sides believing in the importance of the development role for LGUs, the need for women’s participation and their rise to decision-making positions on their own merits.” He also said it was aimed at providing better services towards achieving equality and sustainable development. He continued that the MoU is part of efforts in line with the Ministry of Local Government’s strategic approaches, which coincide with strategic national policies pertaining to the promotion of women’s and youth participation in formulating policies and decision-making. On his part, Dajani pointed to MIFTAH’s accomplishments and efforts with the Ministry of Local Government over the years towards promoting women’s participation in LGUs. The accomplishments, he said, included the preparation of specialized reports and papers, holding trainings, releasing consultation and training guidebooks and conducting dialogue sessions. Dajani stressed on the importance of continuing efforts to develop a gender charter which would help to promote policies and measures that support women’s participation and involvement in LGUs. It would also help generate constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Local Government, LGU’s and civil society in consulting and discussing issues pertaining to advancing local government, in addition to the demands of civil society regarding the amendments to the 2005 Local Elections Law, No 10, he said. In this regard, several institutions signed demands delivered to Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayeh calling for amendments to certain provisions of the law, which would contribute to expanding participation in the electoral process and promoting the principle of equality regarding women’s political participation in local council and municipal elections.
×
Ministry of Social Development and MIFTAH sign Memo of Understanding to enhance strategic partnership within the 'Finance for Development' Project
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development, represented by Deputy Minister Daoud Al Deek, and MIFTAH’s Board of Directors representative Yousef Dajani, signed a Memo of Understanding [MoU] at the ministry’s headquarters on June 13 in order to promote cooperation as part of interventions within the Oxfam-funded “Finance for Development” project, carried out by MIFTAH. Both parties stressed on the importance of continued institutionalization of their partnership and cooperation. This, they said was in order to promote a participatory approach in formulating fiscal policies and guaranteeing active and broad-scale community participation in preparing the the ministry’s budget in line with the principles of international budgeting transparency measures to promoting the values of integrity and transparency in fiscal planning processes and decisions that respond to citizens’ needs. Mr. Dajani pointed out the importance of joint cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development, expressing appreciation for the ministry’s openness to civil society institutions, reflected in building a true partnership based on placing citizens and their needs at the center of attention of both parties through promoting partnership between the public and private sectors and citizens. The aim of this, he said, was to arrive at a true partnership and community engagement that reflect citizen participation and monitoring over public - including fiscal -affairs in order to promote the principles of good governance represented by integrity, transparency and social accountability. On this part, Mr. Al Deek said his ministry believed in the importance of the role of partner institutions in advancing the quality of citizen services in addition to the auxiliary role played by institutions in supporting the ministry’s efforts to combat multidimensional poverty, exclusion and marginalization, particularly of the most vulnerable sectors. He said the ministry was more open to providing fiscal information to the public, also commending MIFTAH’s role in supporting these approaches.
Meanwhile, director of MIFTAH’s policy dialogue and good governance program Lamis Hantouli, stressed that the model of cooperation between the Ministry of Social Development and MIFTAH constituted an incentive for other ministries to take on the same experience. She commended the openness of the ministry’s political will and it’s progressive thinking in regards to the principles of good governance, which has contributed to the building of strategic partnership capable of addressing the challenges that face the two sides and help in promoting dialogue between the ministry and civil society. This MoU is in line with the strategic approaches and concerted efforts between MIFTAH and the Ministry of Social Development, aimed at moving forward in lobbying and advocacy on public policies that guarantee justice and equality within the framework of promoting good governance and state institution-building in Palestine. Cooperation between the ministry and MIFTAH has resulted in a number of achievements, including: the preparation and publication of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Citizens’ Budget and a continuation of this and next years’ budgets. Furthermore, a guidebook for the preparation of the Citizens’ Budget was published, with the objective of institutionalizing it as a first step in the transition towards a participatory budget and planning and contribution to promoting the criteria of participation and social accountability.
×
MIFTAH poll showcases citizen satisfaction on gender-based LGU services in the West Bank and Khan Younis
Ramallah – The main results of an opinion poll recently conducted by MIFTAH on the level of citizen satisfaction towards LGU services in the West Bank and Khan Younis district on a gender basis, showed their dissatisfaction in four areas, including the quality and organization of services, the administration and follow-up of complaints, the jurisdictions granted local councils and the accessibility to information pertaining to LGU services and their procedures.
The responses from women regarding their satisfaction towards accessing information about the work of LGUs showed a lack of access to this information on the basis of dissemination mechanism and transparency of standards The overall level of satisfaction on complaints, their management and follow-up was very low, at 31% (32% males and 30% females) while the percentage of satisfaction among females was lower than average in the areas of complaints management and follow-up of services such as sewage management and public toilets (16%), public places and parks (24%) and services pertaining to the encouragement and regulation of crafts and industries (26%). Meanwhile, the level of satisfaction also noticeably dropped among females from the overall average regarding safe sidewalks and their accessibility to special needs persons and baby carriages, to 31.9%. The satisfaction rate was 32.9% regarding the areas for parking cars in front of schools, service centers and stores. In terms of women’s responses to the management and follow-up of complaints, the most prominent hindrances were related to the tribal social structure in following up complaints and also their follow-up according to the sex of the complainant and the jurisdictions of the local council in carrying out the law. The recommendations from this study include: the review of Article 15 of the Local Council Law No. 1 of 1997; clarification of the scope of jurisdiction for LGUs in areas that largely overlap with other laws and regulations, especially in the fields of electricity, energy, water, transportation and health; promoting systems of social monitoring and accountability; promoting women’s participation in social accountability; review of the gender charter signed by a number of municipalities, which is aimed at reviving the issue of gender to create a safe and motivating political environment that guarantees women’s participation in accountability processes and their access to knowledge. The study also recommended an earnest review of the percentage of women’s representation in LGUs and of experts in the field of LGUs who could rearrange services within a framework that serves the special needs of working women, students, those with special needs and children, and minimize the compounded burden on them as a result of the stereotypical roles of women. MIFTAH developed a public policy paper on improving services provided by LGUs aimed at increasing gender integration in local government The public policy paper developed by MIFTAH about the poll showed various points of dissatisfaction. One was the people’s lack of knowledge of what goes on in LGUs and the fact they do not receive the necessary information from them. This led to their dissatisfaction in many cases, especially among women. The poll results showed that the percentage of those who frequented LGUs to receive one or more service last year was only 67.6% males and 37.9% females. The rest of those polled formed their opinions from receiving services more than a year ago or based on the experiences of relatives, neighbors or acquaintances. The public policy paper called for promoting the perspective of social solidarity in LGU policies and subjecting the taxation and fees system to this perspective so that the citizen registry system and the personal and social status system is updated, and that a tax system is implemented that takes into consideration social differences and also the social status of families, especially those head by women. This would allow for exemptions or a taxes and fees schedule in accordance with social status or in coordination with the relevant parties, including the Ministry of Social Development, to offer support in this regard. This, the paper concluded, could lead to the improvement of services and therefore raise the level of satisfaction among citizens towards LGU services. In order to achieve this, the policy paper recommended active communication between LGUs and women in particular, and citizens in general, based on the consideration that women in society are the source of energy, capabilities and potentials that positively reflect on the development process. The second policy proposed by the paper is for gender to be one criterion for planning, monitoring and evaluation, based on the premise that planning from a gender perspective could lead to dealing with the means of exclusion and isolation and to creating change in gender relations in society. It should be mentioned that these efforts, which were made in cooperation and coordination with the Gender Forum in Local Governance, are within a framework for promoting the role of civil society institutions and members of the forum, in holding accountable LGUs and the Ministry of Local Government, based on Article 15 of the Local Government Law No. 1 of 1997. The efforts are aimed at identifying a group of strategic issues, which MIFTAH and the Gender Forum seek to address in the lobbying process in order to develop and enact policies to increase the number of women and girls with access to LGU services. This, in turn would reinforce the chances for women to participate in social and economic life. The poll results are preceded by previous MIFTAH studies, as part of its interventions, implemented with support from GIZ and with a mandate from BMZ [The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development]. This comes under the “Empowering Women in Decision–Making in the Middle East (LEAD)”project, which is aimed at promoting an enabling inclusive climate for integrating gender in local government policies, all aimed at focusing on gender integration and institutionalization in local government policies and procedures from the perspective of equal participation in decision-making, planning and accountability and in their relation to defending the promotion of gender considerations in the distribution of resources; they also focused on the strategic approaches of LGUs, and the regulation of their work in a way that would close the prevailing gap on a gender basis; on concerted efforts towards creating equality of opportunities for men and women to participate in social and economic development; expanding participation in confronting the challenges imposed by the political climate, represented in the continued colonialist occupation of land and resources, including water, infrastructure, borders, roads, etc. in addition to the continued political division. The studies also called for creating opportunities for discussions and dialogue on regulating the political climate for local governments as stipulated in Article 15 of the Local Government Law No. 1 of 1997 and its amendments on regulations and bylaws that express the revival of the legislative mandate in a way that does not contravene with the provisions of other Palestinian laws and decisions that intersect with the regulations and bylaws unified by the Ministry of Local Government for LGUs.
×
Signing of cooperation agreement between MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office 2018-2019
On October 10, 2018, MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office to the PA signed a one-year cooperation agreement. The agreement stipulates support for MIFTAH’s programs in the field of good governance and democracy, particularly the promotion of political participation of women and youth and supporting their access to decision-making positions. The agreement was signed on MIFTAH’s behalf by Executive Director Ibtisam Husary and by Representative Hilde Haraldstad, in the presence of two of MIFTAH’s Board of Directors, Azmi Shuaibi and Abdel Qader Husseini, in addition to the executive team of both parties. In her speech before the signing, Haraldstad confirmed the importance of the relationship with MIFTAH, which, since its establishment, has focused its attention on promoting democracy in building the State of Palestine, in addition to the political participation of women and the bolstering of young leaders. She expressed hope that this cooperation would continue between both sides. On his part, Husseini reiterated the common denominators between the Norwegian Representative Office and MIFTAH in regards to state institution-building on the basis of transparency and democracy. The signing of the agreement is continuation of the strategic partnership between the two parties. Focus will be placed on continuing support for the leadership role of elected female members of local councils and also support for young women leaders within political parties in order to prepare them for upcoming legislative elections. This is in addition to pressing towards influencing the system of laws pertaining to elections, particularly the Local Elections Law and raising social awareness on equality, citizenship and the democratic process. This support also includes intervention regarding the formulation of a women’s vision as part of the Palestinian constitution to guarantee respect for pluralism and social justice.
×
Ibtisam Husary appointed new CEO of MIFTAH, succeeding Dr. Lily Feidy
On July 2, Ibtisam Husary joined MIFTAH’s team as the organization’s new Executive Director, thereby succeeding Dr. Lily Feidy, who held the post for the previous 12 years. Ms. Husary, who holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration, has assumed several senior posts over the years, including Executive Director and Board member in various institutions over 22 years of experience in several sectors. MIFTAH also held an event honoring Dr. Feidy, attended by several of MIFTAH’s Boards of Directors and Trustees, including Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Dr. Azmi Shuaibi, Abdel Qader Husseini, Khaled Kaloti, Hania Bitar and Ola Awad. The MIFTAH team was also present. In her speech Dr. Ashrawi commended MIFTAH’s achievements under Dr. Feidy, praising her efforts in boosting the institution over the years of her service, which were characterized by dedication and loyalty, she said. Dr. Feidy also gave a heartwarming speech in which she expressed her pride in leading MIFTAH and its team over the years, stressing she would never abandon her role in supporting the institution and its team after she leaves. Dr. Ashrawi then presented Dr. Feidy with an honorary plaque in appreciation and recognition of her role in elevating and conveying MIFTAH’s social message.
×
MIFTAH and Ministry of Health sign memo of understanding on better response to citizens’ needs
The Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Jawad Awwad, signed a joint memo of understanding with MIFTAH, represented by CEO Dr. Lily Feidy, to promote better response to citizens’ needs. The signing took place at the Ministry headquarters in Ramallah. The memo is part of MIFTAH’s Oxfam-funded project “Finance for Development” which the organization carries out in partnership with AMAN and ARIJ. It represents the start of cooperation between MIFTAH and the ministry in the fields of transparency in public budgets and government spending policies in a bid to better respond to the needs of Palestinian citizens. In this context, Dr. Awad confirmed his ministry’s strategy in moving forward to strengthen partnerships with civil society institutions, including MIFTAH, saying this was crucial to serving Palestinian society. On her part, Dr. Feidy stressed that among the most important pillars of democracy were transparency, accountability and involving civil society in formulating public policies, first and foremost fiscal policies. As part of this cooperation, MIFTAH and the Ministry of Health conducted a joint workshop in public, participatory and citizens’ budgets, which resulted in the first ever citizens’ budget for the health ministry in 2018. The citizens’ budget is a simplified version of the ministry’s public budget, which summarizes its policies, approaches and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Cooperation with the Ministry of Health comes after a number of successful agreements and cooperation between MIFTAH and the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
A Vision for Palestinian Women’s Rights Organizations based on the Global Study on the Implementation of UNSCR 1325
Contact us
Rimawi Bldg, 3rd floor
14 Emil Touma Street, Al Massayef, Ramallah Postalcode P6058131
Mailing address:
P.O.Box 69647 Jerusalem
Palestine
972-2-298 9490/1 972-2-298 9492 info@miftah.org
All Rights Reserved © Copyright,MIFTAH 2023
Subscribe to MIFTAH's mailing list
|