Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

o Copies of the poster were circulated to governmental and non-governmental
organizations, particularly those which are interested in women's rights.
o Copies of the poster were circulated in celebration of International Women's Day.
2.6) A Workshop on Legal Protection Mechanisms for Victims of Violence
against Women
The unit organized a workshop entitled "Legal Protection Mechanisms for Victims of
Violence against Women." This workshop was organized on the occasion of the 16
Days Campaign on the subject of Violence against Women. The campaign started on
25 November, which marks the international day for highlighting the issue of
Violence against Women, and continued until 10 December 2005. In the first session
of the workshop, unit lawyer Hanan Matar discussed violence against women in the
context of international human rights instruments. Counselor Suleiman al-Dahdouh,
Deputy Head of the Council of Legislations and Legal Opinions, submitted a working
paper on the protection of women from violence under Palestinian law. Ms. Hala
Manna', a researcher at the Women's Affairs Center, submitted a working paper, in
which she attributed violence against women to the system of customs and traditions
in Palestinian society. In the second session of the workshop, Ms. Manal Abu
Muhaisen, a lawyer at the Women's Empowerment Project of the Gaza Community
Mental Health Programme, asserted that the main reason of violence against women
was the lack of legal protection for women who are subjected to physical violence,
either inside or outside the family. 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. Major Einas Shalabi, director of the female
police in Gaza, talked about the role of female police in the protection of women
against violence.
Means of Verification
o 35 representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations
participated in the workshop.
o The female police, represented by its chief, participated in the workshop, which
created an opportunity for the participants to learn about the role and work of
female police.
o The workshop opened the door for cooperation between women's and community
organizations and the female police.
o The workshop was an opportunity to network with the Ministry of Women's
Affairs.
o The workshop was concluded with a number of recommendations:
1. Shelters should be established for victims of violence and a number of laws
should be reconsidered.
2. There is a need to raise the awareness of society for the need to put an end for
violence against women, which violates international human rights instruments.
3. All segments of society should cooperate to prevent violence against women.
4. There is a need to provide booklets to explain relevant laws.
5. Participants called for holding similar meetings, which contribute to the
enhancement of cooperation and coordination among community and women's
organizations.
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