December 8, 2016
As Part of the 16-Day Activism on Violence Against Women, PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit in Cooperation with Amal Coalition Holds Workshop on Family Law: Obstacles vs. Solutions
As Part of the 16-Day Activism on Violence Against Women, PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit in Cooperation with Amal Coalition Holds Workshop on Family Law: Obstacles vs. Solutions

Ref: 46/2016

 

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On Thursday, 08 December 2016, in cooperation with Amal Coalition to Combat Violence Against Women, the Women’s Right Unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) held a workshop titled, “Family Law: Obstacles vs. Solutions” as part of the activities organized by PCHR and Amal Coalition on the 16-day activism on violence against women in PCHR’s branch office in Khan Yunis.

Lawyer Hanan Matter, Director of PCHR’s Women’s Unit, welcomed the audience and then explained the unit’s activities and programs dedicated to women. Moreover, she reviewed PCHR’s experience in documenting violations against women in general and highlighted that laws have not been just enough to women. She also pointed out that PCHR constantly holds awareness-raising sessions on Family Law and violence issues throughout the year. These sessions target different categories in the Gaza Strip in order to disseminate the human rights culture and help women to regain their rights via representing them before the Shri’a courts to enhance the women’s situation.

Majeda Shehahda, Researcher at the Women’s Unit, said that this workshop is part of the 16-day campaign from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, the International Human Rights Day. These activities shed light on significant women issues to find proper solutions that guarantee women’s access to their rights.

Zeyad Abu al-Hajj, Judge at Bani Suhaila Shari’a Court, addressed the Family Law and its flaws that affect the public interest of the Palestinian families. He talked about the obstacles facing women in case of the separation between the spouses. He spoke about arbitrary divorce that denies women their basic rights, including not considering the damage caused to women married to sterile men as a reason for separation under the Family Law. On the other hand, he highlighted child custody for divorced women, who dedicated themselves to raising their children, calling for equal rights for both the divorced women and widows in this issue. Al-Hajj added that the too many statements made by the Chief Justice office raised confusion, obliging courts to reconsider many cases according to these statements.

By the end of the workshop, the attendants stressed PCHR’s important role and praised its efforts on all levels. They also emphasized the following:

  1. The marginalized categories’ need for such workshops on Family Law;
  2. Carrying out campaigns to amend articles in the Family Law, such as a campaign to increase the child custody period for the divorced women; and
  3. To not only address violence against women, but to highlight domestic violence in general as well due to the Gaza Strip’s exceptional circumstances.