On
Sunday, 19 August 2007, PCHR started the first training course in a series
dedicated to women’s rights and gender, which are implemented in coordination
with women’s organizations in the Gaza Strip. The course is held in PCHR’s Khan
Yunis branch from 19-23 August 2007, totaling 20 training hours, for 37 activist
from 11 organizations in Khan Yunis.
Jaber Weshah, the Center’s Deputy Director, opened the course in a speech in
which he affirmed the severity of the current situation of the Palestinian
people. He stated that violating human rights, disregarding the rule of law, and
undermining the independence of the judiciary are the most important reasons
that have led Palestinians to the exceptional situation they are in at the
moment. Weshah pointed to the responsibility on the shoulders of young people to
establish and impress the culture of human rights among themselves and in future
generations. He ended his speech by expressing hope that the trainees will
attain the utmost benefit from the course.
On
his part, Bassam El-Aqra’, PCHR’s Training Director, stated that the training
content responds to the needs of the trainees. He pointed that the course
includes special sessions on women’s rights derived from the convention on the
elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Topic include the
historical development of the convention, the concept of discrimination, state
responsibilities towards women, women’s legal rights, political participation,
the right to public office, women’s social and economic rights, violence against
women, Arab States reservations on the convention, gender, and the death
penalty.
The
trainers in the course are Bassam El-Aqra (PCHR’s Director of Training), Hamdi
Shaqoura (PCHR’s Democratic Development Director), Mona El-Shawwa (PCHR’s
Women’s Unit Director), Samir Hasaniya (lawyer in PCHR’s Women’s Unit), Majeda
Shehada (researcher in PCHR’s Women’s Unit), and Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish from Al-Aqsa
University.
