Ref: 92/2011

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), in cooperation with Kvinna till Kvinna, concluded a workshop initiated by Kvinna till Kvinna, which was held in Ramallah for PCHR’s female staff.

The workshop titled “Safety and Well-Being Workshop for Activists from Gaza” was held in the period 15-17 December 2011.  Seven female staff members of PCHR, representing the majority of working units, participated in the workshop, while IOF refused to grant permission to 5 other staff members to travel to Ramallah to participate in the workshop.

During the 3-day workshop, the participants received professional training in various fields, including: Developing strategies to deal with barriers; individual wellness strategies; finding support in times of crisis; the concept of integrated security; threats currently experienced by human rights defenders; thresholds of acceptable risks; the impact of threats on physical and psychological well-being; protection options; and internal capacities. 

The training was provided by specialized trainers: Jelena Djordjevic; and Sandra Ljubinkovic, both from Serbia.  They work in the field of support and rehabilitation of human and women’s rights.  They have worked with female activists around the world, especially in conflict areas. 

Kvinna till Kvinna is one of PCHR’s major partners, and it is acquainted of the severe and harsh conditions under which PCHR’s staff, both male and female, work.  Therefore, it thought of this workshop in order to allow the female staff to explore their inner capacities, and to train them to develop strategies to deal with barriers.  PCHR welcomed this initiative due to its importance in supporting the female staff at the professional and psychological levels.  This activity constitutes also part of PCHR’s programs for capacity building of its staff.