Ref:
13/2015

On Thursday, 16 April 2015, the Training Unit
at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a training course
on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women in cooperation with Creative Women Association in Gaza City. This 20-hour
course, which was held in the Association’s office in the period 12-15 April
2015, was a part of a two-year project funded by the EU entitled
“Promoting Human Rights and Freedom of Access to Information”. The
course was attended by 26 members and volunteers of the Association.

The course focused on the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women because it is the most
prominent convention in the field of women’s rights. The course covered the
following topics: the history of women’s rights, the concept of discrimination
against women, women’s legal, economic, social and cultural rights, women’s
political participation, the general measures required by states to implement
the convention, the Arab states’ reservations to the convention, gender and the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The course was facilitated by Samir Hasaniya, a
lawyer at PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit; Majeda Shehada, a researcher at PCHR’s Women’s
Rights Unit; Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, and Khalil
Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit. PCHR
involved three young men and women from the Creative Women Association, who
received TOTs in human rights that was organized by PCHR previously: Darin
Diab; Tamer Abu Kweim; and Mohammed al-Awadi.

The last day of the course included a closing
ceremony, during which certificates were distributed. In this context, Jaber
Weshah, PCHR’s Deputy Director, said, “This course is a part of the
long-term efforts exerted by PCHR to promote women’s rights in the Palestinian
community in cooperation with CBOs working in the field of women’s rights.”
Weshah stressed that future cooperation between PCHR and CBOs would serve the
Palestinian women. He called upon the participants to transfer what they learnt
to their work places, highlighting that PCHR is open for everybody.

Donia al-Amal Isma’il, Director of Creative
Women Association, praised PCHR’s role in disseminating human rights culture in
general and women’s rights in particular in the Palestinian community. She
mentioned PCHR’s role in capacity-building of CBOs by organizing courses in the
association and linking theory with practice through training courses in that
field.

The participants were delighted to receive
unique training in women’s issues. Hanadi Shehab, a participant in the course,
said, “This course contributed to raising the participants’ awareness of
human rights and women’s rights and the training topics were rich”.
Moreover, Shehab appreciated the dedication
of the trainers and the use of diverse interactive training methods. 
Hadiya al-Jabali, another participant, added that active participation and
discussion during the training sessions had enriched the course. She called for
holding other courses for the youth for their positive impact on the participants.