Press Release
Palestine Honors Women’s Leaders on International Women’s Day
 
“Equality for women and girls truly is a progress for all and the key to a more sustainable future”

Ramallah, 6 March 2014 - March 8th anniversary is promoted in the State of Palestine as an ideal occasion to celebrate the achievements of women in Palestine and the role they have played in gaining their equal rights and participation in social and economic development. As community leaders, as politicians, as mothers, as journalists, as police officers, as teachers, as lawyers and the countless of roles that women in Palestine have led by example. 
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs in cooperation with UNFPA commemorated this day under the theme “Palestinian Women in Leadership” and organized a national award ceremony at Movenpick Hotel to celebrate and honor hundred Palestinian womens’ achievements as well as male leaders from various institutions. The event was held under the patronage of the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, with the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr. Rami Al-Hamdallah, and the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Rabiha Diab.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Al-Hamdallah spoke about the Government’s serious commitment in developing a legislative package of international conventions including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), participation in the labor market, modification of the legislative elections in order to increase the “quota” of women, “…they (women in Palestine) reached leadership and pioneering posts in security institutions, municipalities, governmental bodies and judiciary system”, he explained..  “97 women are working as assistant deputies and deputies in ministries, 1,431 women work as managers and deputy managers, and the total number of women workers within the civil service sector is 33,096 employees” he continued.
Her Excellency Ms. Rabiha Diab, Minister of Women’s Affairs, reflected positively on  President Abu Mazen’s decision to sign several decrees which will reflect positively on the participation of women and women as decision makers while hoping that the “quota” be recognized by the President and be raised from 20% to 30%.  She also stressed on the importance of granting women their rights, including their active participation throughout their struggle as “We have the right to live in a society free from violence, dominated the partnership and gender equality”, she added.
“Woman is not in a battle with man, and, therefore, does not need to be targeting both genders in order for her to find a balance in the community.  For the State of Palestine to become a model in the Middle East, we need to call for the elimination of bad traditions and customs that limit the development and progress of our society, and reflect negatively on women’s rights” she continued.
“Despite the slight increase in achievements of women in Palestine, they still face some challenges” Ms. Sana Asi, UNFPA NPO, Gender, Population and Development, said.  “At the level of women participation in the labor market, the proportion of male superiority is four times higher than female. While poverty rate among women, especially in Gaza, is 39%, the proportion of women heads of households increased significantly in recent years.  We have achieved progress in the maternal mortality rate up to be 28 cases per 100 thousand births, the lowest in the region, however, the official statistics reported that above 37% of women were exposed to various forms of violence: 12% are subjected to sexual violence, and more than half of women are subjected to psychological violence.”
This national ceremony was attended by more than 300 represented by number of women organizations, security forces, police officers, lawyers, business women, media, and representatives from different ministries. Following the ceremony women paratroopers, women leaders in media, social and economy sectors were awarded, and ended by a pleasing dabkeh performance by a dancing troupe from Al-Isteqlal University. To highlight 8th of March, several other events took place in the West Bank such as demonstrations by Palestinian women against the political division between Gaza and West Bank, and another in front of the President’s Office against the increase of honor killing cases and absence of laws whereby criminals are not punished for their crimes.