On Wednesday, 12 September 2007, PCHR has concluded the third in a series of training courses on women’s rights and gender, organized in cooperation with women’s organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The 5-day, 20-hour course was held in the Center’s branch in Jabalia, for 27 female activists representing 13 women’s organizations in northern Gaza Strip.

In his concluding speech, Mr. Jaber Weshah, PCHR’s Deputy-Director, said that the human rights, the rule of law, and independence of the judiciary are a social necessity; and that social advancement is measured by women’s enjoyment of their rights. He added that there are great injustices perpetrated against women; and that this training course helps women learn their rights in order to struggle for their fulfillment. He asked the participants to raise the issues learned in the course within their social surroundings. He also pointed to the Center’s readiness to conduct more activities and provide further assistance to spread the culture of human rights and tolerance in Palestinian society.

Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, stated that this course is the third of its kind in a series of specialized courses organized by PCHR focusing on women’s rights, based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  He added that this course was characterized by good discussions and suitable training methods that encouraged participation from all trainees.

The participants thanked PCHR for its efforts to promote the culture of human rights and called for organizing more of such courses in other areas.

In the end, Weshah and El-Aqra’ handed certificates to the participants.

The training was conducted by a number of specialized trainers: Bassam al-Aqra, Director of PCHR Training Unit; Hamdi Shaqqura, Director of Democratic Development Unit; Muna al-Shawa, Director of Women’s Rights Unit; Majeda Shihada and Sameer Hasaniya, from Women’s Rights Unit  Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer at al-Aqsa University in Gaza, also contributed to the training.