1_March 2019, Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (8 March), a week-long joint campaign “My Rights, Our Power” was launched today in Palestine to raise awareness on women’s fundamental human rights. The joint effort, with participation from over 30 national and international partners from civil society organizations, media outlets, and international development agencies, targets youth, women, and men in various geographic areas in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza to promote women’s human rights in Palestine.

The campaign comes at a crucial moment when the anticipated adoption of the Family Protection Bill is at a standstill, raising concerns among national and international stakeholders about the consequences of such delay on safeguarding women’s fundamental human rights in Palestine. According to the Palestine report of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), nearly one in five Palestinian men (17 percent) surveyed said they had perpetrated act of physical intimate partner violence against female partners, while 21 per cent of women surveyed reported having experienced such violence.

“Family violence, usually committed by a family member who has social or economic power over others in the family, causes enormous pain and suffering to all members of the family, especially the women and children,” said a spokesperson from civil society, which has vigorously initiated the development of the Family Protection Bill (FPB), and has strongly pushed its adoption since 2004.

“The violation of women’s human rights manifests in various levels and should be also understood from economic, cultural, and social aspects,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the lack of opportunities and freedom of choice, as well as limited access to justice and services that women in Palestine still experience.

The joint campaign aims to raise awareness of the general public, especially youth, women, and men on women’s fundamental rights in line with international standards and embedded in the Family Protection Bill draft endorsed by the previous Cabinet at the end of December 2018. Five key messages, addressing women’s right to a life free of violence, right to achieve justice and seek help in case of violation of such life, as well as the right to equal opportunities and right to make one’s own choices, will be distributed through various channels such as radio, social media, helpline (121), outreach activities, and on-site events. The closing event of the joint campaign will take place on 8 March in Jerusalem and will celebrate women’s achievements using TED-style talks, followed by art performances.

“My Rights, Our Power” joint campaign is part of the global International Women’s Day 2019 campaign under the theme of “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The theme focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure, echoing the theme of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63) taking place in New York on 11-22 March 2019.

The participating organizations of the “My Rights, Our Power” are (in alphabetical order): 17 Palestinian women’s organizations represented by Al-Muntada (coalition), British Consulate-General, Business Women Forum, CARE International, Consulate General of Sweden, Consulate General of Belgium, EUPOL COPPS, EU Representative Office, FAO, General Union of Palestinian Women, Government of Japan, CowaterSogema/GROW Project, International Labour Organization, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Ma’an TV, MIFTAH, Netherlands Representative Office, Nisaa FM, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, Representative Office of Canada, Representative Office of Denmark, SAWA, Sawasya II, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Sports for Life, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Representative Office of Norway, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UN Women, Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, Women’s Studies Center.

For more information, please contact Eunjin Jeong at UN Women via eunjin.jeong@unwomen.org or 059 2321 308, Majd Beltaji at UNESCO via m.beltaji@unesco.org or 059 4501 506.

Mr. President,

We thank France for organizing this important meeting and extend our appreciation to the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and the Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for their efforts and important briefings.

The issue before us is of relevance not only for half the planet, but to all, given the role and contribution of women in the fields of peace and security and the untapped potential that could be unleashed by mainstreaming their participation. Since the adoption by consensus of resolution 1325 by this Council, a lot has happened, and yet we are still far from the goal of full and equal participation, including in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and from ensuring the protection and empowerment of women. Gender equality and non-discrimination remain prerequisites for the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of this organization and all of our lofty, collective commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The State of Palestine welcomes the Secretary General’s report and his commitment to implementing the women and peace and security agenda, including by placing gender at the centre of his prevention platform and surge in diplomacy. We appreciate all efforts by the UN in this regard, including by UN Women, OHCHR and UNDP, notably in the field of human rights, capacity building, employment and rule of law. We urge UN bodies, notably those operating in Palestine, including the Special Representative, to intensify their engagement and collaboration with women organizations.

Mr. President,

I wish to highlight some of Palestine’s own important efforts in this regard. The Palestinian women’s movement is one of the oldest and strongest in the region and beyond, with institutional and representative structures established as early as the 19th century. Within the PLO, the General Union of Palestinian Women was among the first unions to be established. A coordination of women frameworks within PLO political parties and other organizations has also been established as the “Women’s Affairs Technical Committee” in the aftermath of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference.

There have been many achievements thereafter. Among them: In 2012, Palestine inaugurated a High-Level National Committee for the implementation of resolution 1325, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with relevant Ministries and NGOs. In 2016, the State of Palestine was among the 68 countries and areas that adopted a National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

This Action Plan (2017-2019), adopted by both the Government and civil society organizations, identifies three primary objectives: 1. ensuring protection for women and girls both domestically and in the face of the Israeli occupation; 2. ensuring accountability through national and international mechanisms, with a particular focus on crimes and violations committed by the occupation; and 3. furthering women’s political participation in decision making at the national and international level. The State of Palestine also joined core IHL and human rights instruments, including CEDAW, without reservations. Women’s participation and empowerment are also important and cross-cutting objectives in the context of the National Policy Agenda (2017-2022).

We are, however, conscious that, despite all these efforts, much more work remains to be done. Only in 2009 was a women elected to the highest executive body of the PLO. Quotas are still decisive in allowing women’s election to Parliament and local councils. And while women organizations were among the strongest advocates of national reconciliation, they have been unfairly absent from reconciliation talks. The relevant legislative framework applicable in Palestine is also outdated and must be revised to ensure consistency with Palestine’s international commitments and obligations and avail women the protection and rights they are entitled to and the opportunities they deserve.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian women’s movement since its establishment over a century ago pursued the struggle on two fronts – the struggle for the independence of Palestine and the struggle for women’s rights and empowerment – a dual struggle the movement continues to pursue to this day. The Israeli occupation remains the main source of the violations of our women’s rights and their vulnerability and violence against their person. We have repeatedly called for protection of the Palestinian people, especially women and children. We have also called for accountability, a key element of resolution 1325, the first resolution to address the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women, as the only way to put an end to violations and crimes.

While Palestine stands ready to do its part to advance women rights and the role of women in the fields of peace and security, it is clear that the enjoyment of these rights in our country necessitates ending the Israeli occupation. We will thus continue to work for an end of the occupation and true progress on the path to independence, justice and peace, with the equal and full involvement of women, leading to an independent State of Palestine ensuring human rights for all its citizens without discrimination.

On the occasion of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to Palestine, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, which consists of twelve different Palestinian women’s organisations, is urging the Prosecutor’s Office to take concrete actions towards investigating war crimes committed against Palestinians. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom remains deeply concerned with the complete impunity of Israeli war crimes and firmly supports the Coalition’s call for a just accountability mechanism for Palestinian victims. WILPF also calls on the international community to recognise and fully support Palestinian women’s organisations substantial role in paving the paths to justice, accountability and peace. Read the statement of the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325 below.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325,welcome the visit of the delegation of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office as a step in the right direction. But we are deeply disappointed that the purpose of this visit was restricted to preliminary examination, while Palestinian victims of Israeli war crimes, including women, continue to suffer and urgently await justice and an end to Israel impunity.

We do not understand the decision to exclude the Gaza Strip from this visit, when Gaza has been the site of the most war crimes and where women have been most systematically impacted by Israeli collective punishment policies; a prolonged imposed siege and a severe humanitarian deterioration resulting from Israeli military aggressions .

We are further disappointed that women who have been systematically impacted, and their women’s organisations, have been excluded from the delegation’s agenda.

We call upon all future delegations of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to include on their agenda meetings with women’s organisations and women who have experienced direct and indirect impacts of Israeli crimes.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, have seen in UNSCR 1325, 2242, and other UN Resolutions a commitment to hold the Israeli perpetrators accountable for their war crimes.

We look to the ICC as the most important mechanism to end impunity for all war crimes committed, finally bringing justice for the Palestinian people. Yet, we are very concerned that the preliminary examinations will be an endless process.

Therefore, we urge, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the ICC, to conclude the preliminary examination and move to investigations into Israeli war crimes, bringing justice to Palestinians.

We have paid the price of non-accountability and impunity of Israeli war crimes for too long. “Delaying justice is justice denied.”

Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325: The General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW), the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC), Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), MIFTAH, Filastinyat, Women Media and Development (TAM), Women Stu Dies Center, Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling (WACLAC), the National, YWCA of Palestine, Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting (CWLRC), the Culture and Free thought Association(CWLRC) and Women’s Affairs Center (GWAC).

Occupied Palestine

October 11, 2016

Over 66 Palestinians, including 19 children, have been killed and at least 246 injured since the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) launched a renewed incursion into the northern Gaza Strip in a large scale operation called "days of penitence". It is the largest and deadliest offensive in Gaza in more than four years.

IOF, reinforced by over 200 tanks & armored personnel carriers and Apache helicopters, opened fire on the densely heavily populated Jabalya refugee camp and residential area in the village of Bait Lahiya .

In this military operation, IOF have demolished over 75 homes, destroyed large areas of agriculture land & civilian property, torn up roads, and converted schools and a number of houses into military sites. They have cut off the electricity and water supplies rendering about 15,000 people living in the area of the raid without water and electricity for 7 days. Shortage of milk supplies and food is also escalating.

Moreover, the Gaza Strip remains partitioned into three parts after Israeli armored bulldozers sealed off the main coastal road. For more than two weeks, the Gaza Strip is still considered a military zone, where entry and exist is prohibited.

GCMHP warns of the worsening of the health and humanitarian conditions if the IOF continue their operation for weeks as declared.

GCMHP denounces the Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza Strip and the whole OPT and appeals to the entire world to act immediately and rapidly to stop the attacks and prevent further escalation and deterioration of the humanitarian conditions.

GCMHP calls the international human rights organizations, the EU, and the quartet to intervene immediately, and pressure Israel to stop its military actions and respect its obligations, as set by the 4th Geneva Convention, in protecting Palestinian civilians in times of war.

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme

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Please visit our site: Gaza Community Mental Health Programme http://www.gcmhp.net

"All support for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli Jails"

More than 7500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons are currently living in appalling and inhuman conditions, among whom are 700 in administrative detention. They have been subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. Reports from Israeli prisons by several human rights organizations indicate that prisoners are exposed to several humiliating practices by the Israeli Authorities. Such practices include; indiscriminate beating and firing of tear gas, frequent invasive strip-searching, delaying or withholding medical treatment, arbitrary revocation of visitation rights including denying relatives travel permits, and providing inappropriate quality and quantity of diet, etc…all of such measures and others are blatant violation of international law and the basic principles for the treatment of prisoners.

Scientific studies conducted by GCMHP confirm the severity of the suffering and the profound nature of humiliation experienced by prisoners and their families. The pain and suffering comes in all forms – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, and seriously disrupts all personal relationships – to self, family, work, and general society.

Today, August 15, 2004, in order to express their anger and highlight their living conditions, more than 1500 prisoners responded to these actions of the Israeli government by protesting in a form of open hunger strike. The prisoners are demanding POW status, relaxing of the harsh regime, improvement of their living conditions including an end to strip searches, and the removal of difficulties imposed on families who wish to visit relatives.

This strike will certainly exhaust them, and will result in even more suffering and deterioration of their conditions. Their lives continue to be endangered if the world and international institutions do nothing to support them in their demands to improve their circumstances.

Israeli authorities have responded to the strike by closing the jails' canteens, canceling family visits and stopping drinking water supplies. Moreover, Israeli Internal Security Minister Tzahi Hanegbi said that he does not intend to make any compromises with security prisoners. He also said “For my part they can starve themselves to dearth, we will give nothing, and this strike will pass away as another unremembered incident”.

Such responses are inhuman, indiscriminate and uncover the masked intentions of the Israeli government to deal brutally with the prisoners, and an alarming indication of the consequences of Israeli intended response. They are clear violations of human rights and international agreements.

In this regard, The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) condemns the inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinian prisoners at the hands of Israeli authorities.

GCMHP calls upon human rights organizations and the international community to pressure Israel in order to ensure:

· The implementation of the articles of the 4th Geneva Convention concerning civilian populations in the Occupied Territories
· The Provision of adequate medical treatment and medication.
· The removal of restriction on visitation rights.
· The Improvement of the prisoners living conditions.

We, at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, declare that the Israeli government should abide by international laws and regulations on treatment of prisoners. We believe that there will not be tranquility or peace in the region without releasing all Palestinian prisoners and stopping their maltreatment.

Finally, we wish to salute all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, expressing our support for them and their human demands. We also would like to call upon local and international human rights advocates and organizations and UN agencies to pressure Israel and intensify their efforts in meeting the demands of prisoners and implementing international law.

"All the Support for the Just Demands of Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails"

Since Monday, May 12, The Israeli Occupation Forces imposed a strict, comprehensive closure on all of its borders with the Gaza Strip, putting approximately 1.2 million Palestinians under siege. Foreign visitors, employees of United Nations, and international relief workers were also denied entering and exiting the Strip.

This measure is an escalation of the harassment chain that the Israeli forces has been practicing against all parties including keeping them on the borders for an extended period of time, detailed searching, and lengthy interrogation before allowing them to enter. Additionally, they were asked to sign “waivers” that the Israeli Authority is not accountable for their security in case the visitors and employees were exposed to injuries, dangers, or death while present in the Gaza Strip as a result of any military operation.

Such Israeli measures are a clear violation of international law which requires from Israel as an occupying force to allow freedom of movement and offering of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, who are under the Israeli occupation.

On the other hand, this step will increase the burdens, hardships, and the suffering of the Palestinian people due to obstacles imposed on relief organizations to resume their health, educational, and humanitarian assistance for the needy, and desperate people in the Occupied Territories.

As a result, in this respect, we urge all governments, UN agencies, and international human rights organizations to pressure Israel to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and other Occupied Territories and allow a free movement of Palestinian people, and unrestricted movement of foreigners, international relief workers and united nations employees to execute their humanitarian missions.

Up until the closure is lifted and the Israeli Government responded positively to that request, we call all international organizations working in the Gaza Strip to suspend their operations and programmes and hold the Israeli government responsible for all the consequences of such decision.

Dr. Qouta: " 32.7% of the Palestinian children suffer from acute level of PTSD that needs intervention". " Israeli actions has affected the normal psychological development of Palestinian children". " Without adequate intervention programs for the affected children, they will develop more psychological suffering in the future".

GCMHP has organized a Press Conference today to present the results of a recent research study conducted by the Research Department, titled "The prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Palestinian Children in the Gaza Strip".

At the beginning, Mr.Husam El-Nouno PR Director, welcomed the audience stressing the fact that, the results of the research are very important to understand the psychological effects of trauma resulting from Israeli practices towards the Palestinian children and the society at large. Although these results of scientific basis, they may have many political and social indications, El-Nouno said.

In this conference, Dr. Samir Qouta, the head of the Research Department and author of the research, showed the results of the psychological suffering among Palestinian children living under severe conditions during the last two and half years of Al-Aqsa Intifada. He highlighted the effects of violence on the Palestinian children and how the children live a serious crisis due to the levels of exposure to trauma and violence. He also talked about the difficulties that the a high percentage of Palestinian families face in securing love, protection, and care for their children.

He concluded that 32.7% of Palestinian children studied need immediate intervention in order to alleviate their suffering and prevent further deterioration in their psychological state. He forewarned of the dangers of accumulated trauma if went unnoticed and untreated.

After the presentation, Dr. Qouta answered the questions of Journalists regarding the research findings and other relevant matters concerning the Palestinian situation, particularly for the children. He talked about the role of Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in combating the accumulated effects of the trauma exposure through various activities and interventions such as trauma counseling practices, public awareness campaigns, and clinical interventions at the GCMHP clinics and the community at large.

At the end of the conference, Mr. Husam El-Nouno, thanked the audience for their attendance and participation.