Ref: 24/2006

Date:  07 March 2006

Time: 13:30 GMT 

Palestinian Women Continue to Suffer Under Israeli Occupation as they Commemorate International Women’s Day  

As women throughout the world commemorate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2006, Palestinian women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) continue to suffer as a result of attacks by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and violence against women in society. 

Throughout the OPT, Palestinian women suffer as a result of violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF, including killings, house demolitions and arbitrary arrests.  They often have to endure extra hardship when their houses are demolished or their husbands are unable to provide adequate living conditions for their families, as a result of measures taken by IOF.  Palestinian women are also often direct victims of the Israeli occupation: they are killed, injured, arrested and have their land and homes destroyed. IOF have not excluded Palestinian women from suppression and attacks directed against all Palestinian civilians.

With regard to violence against women in society, there has been an increase in the number of women who are subject to physical, psychological and sexual violence.

Despite the hardships endured under IOF practices and as result of violence against women in society, political participation of Palestinian women has developed significantly.  Women’s participation in the latest Palestinian legislative elections, which were held on 25 January 2006, was high.  The quota system outlined in the electoral law, which demands a minimum level of female representation, contributed to the success of 17 women in these elections, who are now members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).  Women constitute 12% of the total number of PLC members.  Although women’s representation in the PLC is higher than that seen in other Arab parliaments, Palestinian women aspire towards wider political participation and more effective representation in political bodies in the future. 

PCHR sends special regards to all Palestinian women and draws particular attention to the responsibilities of Palestinian women, PLC members and the Palestinian women’s movement with regard to maintaining the achievements of Palestinian women to date and ensuring the safeguard of women’s rights under law.

On this occasion:

1.      PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to stop violations of human rights by IOF, which have had a devastating impact on Palestinian women.

2.      PCHR calls upon the newly elected PLC to uphold the achievements of Palestinian woman, which have been made as a result of many years of struggle by women to contribute to society and assume leading roles in the society.

3.      PCHR calls for joints efforts to stop violence against women in Palestinian society. 

4.      PCHR calls upon women to join together and organize their efforts to obtain their rights in the context of the establishment of a democratic civil society. 

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