Ref: 66/2007

Date: 26 November  2007

Women’s Unit Co-Organizes Several Lectures on the Occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On 25 November 2007, the Women’s Unit at PCHR in coordination with several women’s organizations launched a series of lectures throughout the Gaza Strip. The lectures aim to increase awareness about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November 2007), issues of violence against women, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993), and legal mechanism of protecting female victims of violence.

The first lecture was held in the Female University Graduates Association in Gaza City. Twenty-seven members of the association attended the lecture. The Association’s Director, Laila Saba, opened the lecture by thanking PCHR and stressing the importance of awareness of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and about violence against women in general.

The Women’s Unit Director, Mona El-Shawa, talked about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1999 as part of the efforts to curb this international phenomenon. She pointed that the international community did not heed the danger of this phenomenon till December 1993 when the UN General Assembly issued the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Women’s Unit lawyer, Hanan Mater, gave a definition of violence against women as stated in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. In addition, she talked about the 3 spheres in which violence against women is perpetrated: family, society, State. In addition, she talked about the forms of violence against women in Palestinian society; and the relevant laws pertaining to the issue.

The Women’s Unit is set to continue the lecture series throughout the week. One lecture will be held on 26 November in Zakher Association in Gaza City. A third lecture will be on 28 November in the Women and Family Empowerment Center in Jabalia. The final lecture will be on 29 November in Ghassan Kanafani Association in Beit Hanoun.