On 17 July 2008, PCHR Training Unit concluded a training course on human
rights and gender in the Central Gaza Strip. It is the second course of its
kind in 2008 targeting female civil society activists in the Gaza Strip. The
first course was organized in Khan Yunis earlier this month.
The course was held in the Maghazi Cultural Center in Maghazi refugee camp
from 13-17 July 2008 with a total of 20 training hours. Nineteen female
civil society activists from 6 organizations participated in the course.
Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, pointed that the course
includes special sessions on women’s rights derived from the convention on
the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Topics include
the historical development of the convention; the concept of discrimination;
state responsibilities towards women; women’s legal rights; political
participation; women’s social and economic rights; The United Nations
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; gender; and
the death penalty.
The training is conducted by a team of specialized trainers from PCHR that
included: Lawyer Sharif Abu Nassar, from the Legal Aid Unit; Mona al-Shawa,
Sameer Hassaniya, and Majeda Shihada, from the Women’s Rights Unit; and
Bassam al-Aqra; from the Training Unit. Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer
at al-Aqsa University in Gaza, also contributes to the training.
The trainees commended the PCHR’s efforts to disseminate human rights
culture among female civil society activists. They also pointed to the
importance of the course content and training methods. The training was
characterized by effective participation and discussion.
Certificates were distributed to the trainees at the end of the course.
