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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
Ref: 160/2005
Date: 12 December 2005
PCHR Organizes a Workshop on Mechanisms of Legal Protection for Victims of Violence against Women
The Women’s Rights Unit at PCHR organized a workshop titled “Mechanisms of Legal Protection for Victims of Violence against Women.” Counselor Suleiman al-Dahdouh, Deputy Head of the Council of Legislations and Legal Opinions; Major Einas Shalabi, director of the female police; representatives of a number of women’s organizations; and a number of jurists and specialists participated in the workshop. The workshop was organized at PCHR’s office in Gaza City.
Mr. Jaber Weshah, Deputy Director of PCHR, welcomed the attendants and stressed the need to have mechanisms of legal protections for victims of violence against women.
Director of Women’s Rights Unit, Ms. Muna Shawa, facilitated the discussion. She explained the goals of the unit and the free legal assistance and consultation it provides. Ms. Shawa contended that it is necessary to the adopt measures to protect women who are victims of violence.
Ms. Hanan Matar, a lawyer at Women’s Rights Unit, discussed violence against women in the context of international human rights instruments. She highlighted all relevant instruments and emphasized the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and to abstain from involvement in violence against women. Ms. Matar also stressed the importance of developing national plans to reinforce the protection of women through the rehabilitation of victims of violence and the adoption of appropriate measures. She supported her intervention with a number of cases she had pursued through its work at PCHR.
Counselor Suleiman al-Dahdouh submitted a working paper on the protection of women from violence in the Palestinian law. In his paper, Mr. al-Dahdouh asserted that the Palestinian law ensures women’s rights without any discrimination and that depriving women of these rights constitute a form of violence against them. Mr. al-Dahdouh further contended that the Palestinian law allows women to be judges and lawyers, and that the Law of Civil Service ensures the right of women to work in any ministry or governmental body. The Palestinian Election law also gives women the right to be nominated for candidature for the position of the president and for membership in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Major Einas Shalabi, director of the female police in Gaza, talked about the role of female police in the protection of women against violence. She stressed the need to coordinate efforts made by the female police with activities organized by NGOs to stop violence against women.
Ms. Hala Manna’, a researcher at Women’s Affairs Center, submitted a working paper, in which she attributed violence against women to the system of customs and traditions, the lack of social awareness and other factors related to the Israeli occupations, particularly the economic conditions and the problem of unemployment.
Ms. Manal Abu Muhaisen, a lawyer at Women’s Empowerment Project of Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, asserted that the main reason of violence against women is the lack of legal protection for women who are subjected to physical violence either inside or outside the family. She emphasized the need to prosecute those who commit violence inside the family, indicating that a law to protect the family from violence is currently being drafted, as the society is badly in need for a law that protects women.
Ms. Salwa Hudaib, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, submitted a working paper on the ministry’s role in efforts against violence against women. The paper was read by Ms. ‘Azza Rezeq. According to the paper, the ministry has made many efforts to protect women from violence. It asked the Central Bureau of Statistics to provide statistics about violence against women and children. The ministry further adopted a series of steps to define violence against women as physical and psychological, and to obligate the Palestinian National Authority to take necessary measures to ensure protection for women through qualified female police.
This workshop was organized on the occasion of the 16 Days Campaign against Violence against Women, which is based on gender. The campaign started on 25 November, which marks the International Day against Violence against Women, and continued until 10 December 2005.
The workshop was concluded with a number of recommendations:
1. Shelters should be found for victims of violence and a number of laws should be reconsidered.
2. There is a need to raise the awareness of the society to put an end for violence against women, which violate international human rights instruments.
3. All segments of the society should cooperate to prevent violence through appropriate nurture.
4. There is a need to provide booklets to explain laws.
5. There is a crucial need to support and protect women’s rights.
6. Mechanisms of protection should be provided and punishments for assaults against women should be tougher.
7. Efforts of women’s organizations to link between women’s health with violence against women should be supported.
8. A series of steps in the educational sector should be taken to reform the social behavior.
9. The role of women’s movements and NGOs in efforts made to put an end for violence against women should be recognized.
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