Ref: 37/2007

Date: 19 August 2007

PCHR Launches a Series of Training Courses on Women’s Rights in Khan Yunis

On Sunday, 19 August 2007, PCHR started the first training course in a series dedicated to women’s rights and gender, which are implemented in coordination with women’s organizations in the Gaza Strip. The course is held in PCHR’s Khan Yunis branch from 19-23 August 2007, totaling 20 training hours, for 37 activist from 11 organizations in Khan Yunis.

Jaber Weshah, the Center’s Deputy Director, opened the course in a speech in which he affirmed the severity of the current situation of the Palestinian people. He stated that violating human rights, disregarding the rule of law, and undermining the independence of the judiciary are the most important reasons that have led Palestinians to the exceptional situation they are in at the moment. Weshah pointed to the responsibility on the shoulders of young people to establish and impress the culture of human rights among themselves and in future generations. He ended his speech by expressing hope that the trainees will attain the utmost benefit from the course.

On his part, Bassam El-Aqra’, PCHR’s Training Director, stated that the training content responds to the needs of the trainees. He pointed that the course includes special sessions on women’s rights derived from the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Topic include the historical development of the convention, the concept of discrimination, state responsibilities towards women, women’s legal rights, political participation, the right to public office, women’s social and economic rights, violence against women, Arab States reservations on the convention, gender, and the death penalty.

The trainers in the course are Bassam El-Aqra (PCHR’s Director of Training), Hamdi Shaqoura (PCHR’s Democratic Development Director), Mona El-Shawwa (PCHR’s Women’s Unit Director), Samir Hasaniya (lawyer in PCHR’s Women’s Unit), Majeda Shehada (researcher in PCHR’s Women’s Unit), and Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish from Al-Aqsa University.