Ref: 67/2009  

The Women’s Rights Unit in the Palestinian Center for Human Rights has launched a series of activities throughout the Gaza Strip. These activities are organized to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign which runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). This campaign seeks to emphasize violence against women as a violation of fundamental human rights.  Activities have included a number of lectures for women throughout the Gaza Strip, whose aim is to raise awareness of women about violence.  These lectures have been organized in coordination with community-based and women’s organizations. 

On 02 December 2009, the unit organized a lecture in the Women’s Activities Center in al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, which was attended by at least 25 women.  On 06 December, the unit organized another lecture in the Citizenship and Development Society in Khan Yunis, which was attended by at least 30 women.  The unit will organize additional lectures on 07, 08 and 09 December in Women’s Work Department in Beit Lahia, East Gaza Society and the Palestinian Association for Development respectively.  On 10 December, the unit will organize a workshop in Khan Yunis to mark the conclusion of these activities. 

 Ms. Muna Shawa, Director of Women’s Rights Unit, stated that “these lectures concentrate on the Declaration for the Elimination of Violence against Women adopted by the United Nations in December 1993, and legal protection mechanisms for women who are victims of violence,” pointing out that they are part of PCHR’s efforts to stop violence against women.   

On 25 November on the anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, PCHR noted that the suffering of Palestinian women continues due to the actions of the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian civilians, including women, and violence practiced against women in the Palestinian society.