Training workshop for the Gender Support Team at the Ministry of Interior:
International agreements on gender-related human rights

By MIFTAH
October 29, 2019

Ramallah – 22/10/2019 – On October 21, MIFTAH held a training workshop on international agreements pertaining to gender-related human rights, which targeted the Gender Support Team at the Palestinian Ministry of Interior. A total of 40 members of the team attended from the various directorates.

MIFTAH projects coordinator (trainer and attorney) Waad Qannam said the workshop was part of MIFTAH’s support for ministries and official department employees, especially their gender units. It was also in response to the request made by the Gender Support Unit to MIFTAH to raise awareness and educate the team on this topic. He explained that the workshop included four sessions on the definition of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and its multifaceted uses, the characteristics of human rights and the sources of international law. In addition, the workshop offered a definition of gender and the importance of the distribution of roles between men and women as well as the various aspects of confronting social impediments that hinder the ability of women to exercise their rights, which is at the core of the Gender Support Team’s work. The workshop also included raising awareness about the international treaties pertaining to women’s rights, in particular CEDAW and UN Resolution 1325 and linking them with the Palestinian context. It discussed the compatibility of local laws with the State of Palestine’s obligations under international agreements.

Head of the gender unit at the Interior Ministry, Nihad Wahdan stressed on the importance of the workshop in disseminating and learning about international agreements pertaining to women and reviewing and amending our national legislation in line with international conventions. She also said it was important to introduce draft laws that would achieve the principle of equality and consideration for gender exclusivity. “The training also falls within the context of government policies aimed at empowering Palestinian women and strengthening their capabilities to be able to contribute to the advancement of the homeland and to promoting democracy, social justice and equality. It is also a commitment to advance Palestinian women’s potentials through empowering and motivating them to participate in the building and independence process within programs that promote a spirit of national belonging, encourage self-dependence and self-confidence and foster a spirit of equal opportunity side by side with men.”

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