Read More - Sabeel, Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

of equality and social justice betweenmen and women. WCLAC has played aprominent role in addressing genderbasedviolence in Palestinian society inboth private and public spheres.Salwa Duaibis, Director of WCLAC’sDocumentation and Advocacy Unit,welcomed the ladies to the Centre andspoke about her role in advocacy. Shedescribed challenges faced by Palestiniansliving under occupation as seen throughthe eyes of ordinary women strugglingto cope with an extraordinary situation.She shared the story of a young ChristianPalestinian woman from Jerusalemexplaining how the woman’s freedomof movement and right to practice herreligion have been restricted by Israeligovernment policies. For many Jerusalemwomen, this resonates with their ownstories as well. WCLAC staff memberRawan Obeid then discussed importantfacts about Civil Status Law for Christiansand Muslims, Inheritance Law, and PenalLaws throughout the last ten years, afterwhich she explained how the Centre’slegal and social services address relatedneeds and document the different kindsof cases. A vibrant discussion followed,as participants were asked to share someof their personal experiences. The womenthen watched the film “Gandhi,” whichfollows the life of Ghandi and examinesthe political history and struggles of latecolonial India. This film is a powerfultribute to the effectiveness of unified nonviolentresistance and encouraged thewomen about the importance of their ownREPORT2012Women’s Program List ofActivities in 2012• Lenten Visit and Bible study to the Mtof Temptations in Jericho• Cultural and Political Learning Tour ofHebron• Educational Alternative Tour of Historicand Present-day Haifa• Retreat in Haifa and Tiberius on thetopic of “The Beatitudes”• Educational Visit to the RamallahWomen’s Centre for Legal Aid &Counseling and the Village of Nabi Salehstruggles for peace and justice.Finally, the group finished out the daywith a visit to a Palestinian family in thevillage of Nabi Saleh. The women wereable to build connections of solidaritywith the family as they listened to howNabi Saleh’s residents have hosted weeklydemonstrations for the past three years,protesting the confiscation of the village’slands and the illegal takeover of their springby Halamish, the nearby Israeli settlement.Clashes with the Israeli Army during theprotests mean that the community isregularly targeted with teargas, skunkwater, rubber bullets, and sound grenades– a difficult setting in which to carry onnormal life or raise a family. The Sabeelwomen traveled back to Jerusalem moreinformed about their nearby communitiesand challenged to remain faithful toresisting these injustices.7