Ref: 88/2010

In the context of the International
Campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which started on 25
November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,
until 10 December 2010, the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Training Unit and Women’s Rights Unit of the Palestinian Centre for
Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a training course on the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on Thursday, 2 December
2010. The 18-hour course was held in
cooperation with Palestine Call Society in the main office of the society in
Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, during the period 28 November – 2 December 2010. The course was administered to 19 participants
representing five institutions working in the field of women.

The course focused on the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, including
women’s rights, which is considered as the most important and comprehensive
convention in this field. The program of
the course included the following: the historical development of women’s
rights, the concept of discrimination against women, the legal, economic,
social and cultural rights of women under the convention, the political
participation of women, and the actions taken by states to put the convention
into effect. It also discussed the
declaration on the elimination of violence against women, gender, and the
position of Arab countries from the convention.

The training was conducted by a
number of specialized trainers from PCHR: Samir Hassaniya, lawyer in PCHR’s
Women’s Rights Unit; Mona al-Shawwa, Director of PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit; Majda
Shhada, researcher in 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.

In her closing speech, Mrs. Tahani
al-Jamal, Director of the society, thanked PCHR for the continuous efforts it
exerts in raising awareness on human rights and violence practiced against
women, in addition to unveiling the violations practiced against women by the
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and the local community. Al-Jamal emphasized that the course will
serve as a stepping stone, paving the way for more cooperative efforts between
the society and PCHR.

Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s
Training Unit, explained that this course constitutes part of a three-year
project, funded by the European Union and Oxfam Novib, aimed at improving
awareness of and respect for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. Al-Aqra’ added that this
course is part of PCHR’s long-term efforts to promote human rights within
Palestinian

society in cooperation with
community-based organizations. He asked participants to make use of the
services offered by PCHR, highlighting that they are open for all. Al-Aqra’ mentioned
that he hoped this course would constitute the beginning of a fruitful
relationship between PCHR, civil society organizations and the individual
members of society.

The participants highly appreciated
the efforts made by PCHR to disseminate a culture of human rights within
Palestinian society. One of the participants, Hanan Mas’oud, stated that the
course contributed to raising the participants’ awareness about human
rights. She added that this course enriched
their professional and social knowledge, calling for holding similar courses in
the future. Another participant, Reem
Abed Rabbu, said she highly appreciated the efficiency the trainers and their
training methods, which promoted effective participation and fruitful
discussion. All participants received
certificates at the conclusion of the course.

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For more information, please contact
the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights at [email protected]
or +972-(0)8-282