On 25 November 2007, the Women’s
Unit at PCHR in coordination with several women’s organizations launched a
series of lectures throughout the Gaza Strip. The lectures aim to increase
awareness about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women (25 November 2007), issues of violence against women, the Declaration on
the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993), and legal mechanism of
protecting female victims of violence.
The first lecture was held in
the Female University Graduates Association in Gaza City. Twenty-seven members
of the association attended the lecture. The Association’s Director, Laila Saba,
opened the lecture by thanking PCHR and stressing the importance of awareness of
the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and about
violence against women in general.
The Women’s Unit Director, Mona
El-Shawa, talked about the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women, which was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1999 as part
of the efforts to curb this international phenomenon. She pointed that the
international community did not heed the danger of this phenomenon till December
1993 when the UN General Assembly issued the Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence against Women.
Women’s Unit lawyer, Hanan
Mater, gave a definition of violence against women as stated in the Declaration
on the Elimination of Violence against Women. In addition, she talked about the
3 spheres in which violence against women is perpetrated: family, society,
State. In addition, she talked about the forms of violence against women in
Palestinian society; and the relevant laws pertaining to the issue.
The Women’s Unit is set to
continue the lecture series throughout the week. One lecture will be held on 26
November in Zakher Association in Gaza City. A third lecture will be on 28
November in the Women and Family Empowerment Center in Jabalia. The final
lecture will be on 29 November in Ghassan Kanafani Association in Beit Hanoun.
