Ramallah – Violence against women has been on the rise in Palestinian society over the past few years and has raised alarm bells among several Palestinian organizations, including MIFTAH, which included the latest data on the subject in one of its most important publications for 2013. The report included an analytical study of a survey on violence in Palestinian society conducted in 2011 by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The report is part of MIFTAH’s project of “Gender Equity and Protection” carried out by the organization in cooperation with UNFPA.
MIFTAH organized a dialogue group in coordination with the Palestinian NGO forum to combat violence against women and with the Ministry of Justice. An analytical presentation was conducted on the results of the study, prepared by Mohammed Haj Yehya and which showed horrific findings regarding violence, targeted mostly at women.
According to project manager at MIFTAH, Najwa Yaghi, according to data from the Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, 27 cases of femicide against the backdrop of so-called ‘honor killings” were recorded throughout this year until now. Yaghi stressed on the need to pinpoint the reasons behind this rise in the level of violence and murder in general in Palestinian society, adding that the overall number of homicides was 97 cases. She said this necessitated laws and deterrent punitive measures to stymie the dangerous trend.
The survey showed that physical, sexual, economic and social violence against married and unmarried women takes place among all age groups or levels of education. At the same time, the scope of violence against women does differ between the different social and demographic groups. Likewise, the level of violence against women at the hands of their husbands is largely linked with increasing levels of family pressure and subjection to violence from the Israeli occupation.
The findings also showed that women from the Gaza Strip who had been married were more susceptible to violence and abuse than their counterparts in the West Bank. Furthermore, women who had been married and who live in urban areas and refugee camps were more targeted by violence and abuse than their counterparts in rural areas.
On his part, Mohammed Haj Yehya presented the study’s recommendations, which were directed at the judicial system, the police, the general prosecution, the judiciary and society at large. He highlighted the duties and responsibilities of these agencies and bodies, which included: the need to acknowledge that the problem of violence against women is a criminal problem and must be dealt with and responded to on the basis of this acknowledgement. Furthermore, lack of intervention by the judicial system in combatting the problem of violence against women sends a message to the victims and the abusers that this is not a criminal problem, if even acknowledged at all. Another recommendation was the need to develop a multi-specialized team to carry out the necessary procedures to file complaints and address cases of violence against women.
The report also included recommendations to improve support services for victims, including family centers, treatment programs for abusive husbands, intervention centers for crisis and emergency cases, daycare centers, home treatment and safe houses and shelters. There was also a recommendation for setting up a national information center in the Ministry of Justice as a database for reference purposes. Furthermore, NGOs, women’s organizations and human rights groups in particular urged towards coordination among each other and with government institutions to conduct a needs-assessment of women victims of domestic violence.
Khan Younis PLC representative Najat Al Astal called for new mechanisms to improve the status of women and provide protection for them in the face of growing violence towards them. She pointed to two draft laws for presentation at the Legislative Council, for which she called for final ratification. The first is entitled “Protection of women from domestic violence” and the second is entitled, the “Penal code draft law”. Al Astal also called for awareness campaigns through the media and the education system in combating domestic violence. “We are also calling for combatting domestic violence to be a priority of the political leadership,” she said.
On her part, Dareen Salhiyeh, head of appeals in the prosecutor general’s office called for a specialized unit of the prosecution to follow up on issues of domestic violence and to learn from the experiences of other countries. Salhiyeh did note however, that the study only focused on violence against wives and suggested that it should cover all domestic violence issues.
Salhiyeh made a number of recommendations to better protect women, including: a witness-protection program, networking system between the relevant ministries, an emergency case system and quick intervention for victims of violence. She also recommended the imposition of restraining orders, the confidential documentation and testimonies of cases of violence, and the ratification of the penal code to take the place of the law enacted in 1960 and which fails to criminalize a number of acts of v violence. Another important recommendation she made was to find a stipulation that would criminalize any failure to report information about cases of violence seen in schools and hospitals, especially following the PCBS report that said only 3% of abused women actually make it to clinics. This is because the only action taken is that their information is documented.
Judge Falasteen Abu Rumi meanwhile, called for allocating lawyers, judges and courtrooms to deal with cases related to women’s issues in order ensure that their full rights are met. She also called for expediting and enacting the ratification of the penal code as a deterrent for those who may commit crimes against women, especially under the so-called guise of ‘honor killings.”
MIFTAH was granted a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations' ECOSOC
Date posted: September 28, 2020
By MIFTAH
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH was granted a special consultative status to work with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), through which MIFTAH seeks to contribute to promoting the Palestinian narrative and international advocacy based on international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions related to the Palestinian cause.
The ECOSOC is the principal organ that coordinates the economic, social, environmental and related work of the 14 United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, and social and environmental issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.
ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda. ECOSOC has been the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs. ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation
What is Consultative Status?
Consultative Status is an accreditation framework that benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views according to ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20.
NGOs with Consultative Status can work with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in various ways, including in consultation with Member States. They can also contribute to a number of activities including information dissemination, awareness raising, development education, policy advocacy, joint operational projects, participation in intergovernmental processes and in the contribution of services and technical expertise
An NGO with consultative status can attend international conferences and events, make written and oral statements at these events, organize side events, enter United Nations premises, and have opportunities to network and lobby.
MIFTAH considers obtaining this Consultative Status timely and paramount to begin organizing its participation through the Council's sessions during 2021.
Signing ceremony for new cooperation agreement between MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office
Date posted: November 28, 2019
By MIFTAH
Ramallah – MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office to the PA signed on Monday, November 26 a new one-year cooperation agreement in a ceremony held in Ramallah.
Head of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, signed on behalf of MIFTAH while Norwegian representative, Ms. Hilde Haralstad signed on behalf of the Norwegian Representative Office.
During her speech at the signing, Dr. Ashrawi said, "For the past 18 years the Norwegian Representative Office has been one of the oldest and most significant of MIFTAH's supporters in its efforts towards promoting the principles of democracy and good governance in Palestine”. She also said this support was a continuation of the crucial work at this stage in supporting and empowering young leaders and women as change-makers, saying it gives this sector the ability to influence and change, especially in light of the difficult circumstances and challenges of the current political stage. Ashrawi also reiterated the importance of collective efforts in a coordinated and holistic manner between the various parties, which inevitably lead to change.
Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed the Norwegian support for the Palestinian cause, expressing hope that Norway and other likeminded countries continue to stand on the right side of human rights and good governance and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, justice and statehood. She concluded her speech by expressing sadness for Ms. Haralstad's departure from Palestine, where she has served since 2016.
Meanwhile, Ms. Haralstad confirmed Norway's continued support for Palestine in its quest for statehood and human rights. She said she was proud to have partnered with an institution that supports the principles of democracy and good governance and which works for women's and youth issues such as MIFTAH. She also stressed on the important role Palestinian civil society institutions play in supporting the Women's Peace and Security agenda and expressed her sadness for leaving Palestine, saying she would continue to support the Palestinian cause.
The signing was attended by women's and rights institutions in addition to MIFTAH board members, representatives from the General Union of Palestinian Women and representatives from other MIFTAH funders and partners.
