Ref: 11/2017

On 22 and 23 March 2017, the Women’s Unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) organized two training courses on security and wellbeing in Lighthouse restaurant in Gaza City.  The course targeted 25 female workers in the Social Affairs Ministry’s Al-Aman Shelter for Women.

Lawyer Hanan Matter, Director of the Women’s Unit, opened the course, which as she said comes as part of the joint cooperation between the Women’s Unit and al-Aman Shelter.  She added that this course aims at renewing the spirit of cooperation by being in such an extraordinary activity and taking the workers out of the nature of their work which requires dealing with women subject to violence for long periods.

Matter also talked about the programs and activities of the Women’s Unit throughout 20 years of providing legal aid for women, representing them before Sharia Courts, and working in the field of the legal awareness of women.  Matter added the Unit is considered the official advisory body for al-Aman Shelter. The Unit’s lawyers conduct periodic visits to al-Aman Shelter in order to check the inmates’ conditions, give them legal advice and provide legal aid for women in need for it and represent them before the Sharia Courts.

Hanadi Skeik, Director of al-Aman Shelter, expressed the strong ties between PCHR and the Shelter, noting that it is more like a partnership to serve women subject to violence.  She also praised PCHR’s role and long-term efforts to disseminate and promote the culture of human rights in the Palestinian Society.

Majedah Shehadah, a social researcher at the Women’s Unit, implemented the training program, which included the concept of wellbeing and security.  She then taught the participants exercises to strengthen their sense of self and security within their work and family environment.  She also tackled the challenges and threats facing them in addition to learning skills and strategies to identify and solve these challenges.

At the end of the course, the participants praised the contribution of these courses to making change to their concepts and believe.  The Director of al-Aman Shelter also thanked the Women’s Unit for their efforts in shedding light on women’s issues and reducing violence against them.