Ref: 20/2011

On Sunday, 10 April 2011, the Training 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 in Khan
Yunis. The 20-hour course was held in
PCHR’s branch office in Khan Yunis, during the period 04-10 April 2011. The
course was targeted 23 participants representing seven community-based
organizations working in the field of women’s rights in Khan Yunis.

Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, explained that
this 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 gender, violence against women and the position
of Arab countries towards the Convention.

The training was conducted by a number of specialized trainers from
PCHR: Samir Hassaniya, lawyer in 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; Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights Unit and Sharif Abu Nassar, lawyer in PCHR’s Legal Unit.

In his closing speech, Abdul Halim Abu Samra, PCHR’s Public
Relations Officer in Khan Yunis, 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.  Abu Samra added that this
course is part of PCHR’s long-term efforts to promote women’s rights within the
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.  Abu Samra 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, Romaysa’ Abu Rida, stated that the course contributed to raising
the participants’ awareness about human rights and women’s rights.  She highly appreciated the efficiency of the
trainers and their training methods, which promoted effective participation and
fruitful discussion. Abu Rida Called for
organizing such courses for their importance and positive effects.