A statement for immediate release issued by
Human Right and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”
On the occasion of March 8th marking International Women’s Day
SHAMS Center calls for harmonizing Palestinian national legislation with its international obligations
“SHAMS” Center condemns in the strongest terms the inhuman and immoral atrocities, violations and actions perpetrated by the occupying soldiers and its settlers against Palestinian women. In this connection, the center urges United Nations to assume its responsibilities to oblige the occupying State to comply with International Humanitarian Law & and Human Rights Law. “Israel” the occupying Power has increased the pressure imposed on Palestinian women to face dual national and gender oppression as a result of continuing violations of the occupation and Israel’s refusal to comply with international human rights law, as well as treaties that it acceded, Including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Israel has repudiated the implementation of the human rights treaties it has ratified in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and has continued to challenge the international community. It has steadfastly refused the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and has turned its back on the resolutions of international legitimacy, headed by Security Council Resolution No. (1325) concerning women, peace and security. Despite the fact that the relevant international bodies have consistently affirmed the applicability of these conventions, Israel as an occupying Power is legally responsible for the implementation of the human rights treaties to which it is a party within the Palestinian occupied territories.
“SHAMS” Center reminds that March 8th represents a reasonable occasion to measure the scale of efforts being made by organizations & formal institutional frameworks in enhancing the respect for the rights of women and their empowerment, protection and combating violence against them. It also reminds of the need to harmonize national legislation with the international conventions and treaties to which the State of Palestine has acceded, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) following five years of its accession without reservations , and following the signing of its Optional Protocol annexed to it, the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, and the Convention on Consent to Marriage and Age of Marriage in 2018.
“SHAMS” Center calls for the necessity to expedite the promulgation of a code on Family Protection against violence, which shall clearly set forth responsibilities & obligations of the Government. It shall be designed to prevent violence and protect survivors and prosecute offenders, at a time when killing and violence against women remains one of the most important concerns facing the Palestinian woman and challenging her both structurally and culturally. This constitutes a step towards empowering women to access justice by reforming and developing official institutions of justice to attract and foster women who are victims of violence and not to be against them. Ensuring their access to justice and equality besides strengthening their sense of citizenship.
“SHAMS” Center stresses the necessity to promote women’s political participation at a time when this percentage is decreasing, by enabling them to vote, stand for candidacy and assume an efficient role after taking up her post. By addressing the general political environment and reforming the structural & cultural frameworks that impede their access and constitute obstacles to their political participation, as well as empowering women to reach different decision-making positions. This will be fulfilled through increasing their access to senior and influential positions in public, ministerial and non-ministerial institutions, civil society organizations and private sector institutions, besides enhancing the belonging and effectiveness of women in trade unions and professional syndicates.
“SHAMS” Center calls on the importance of women’s empowerment, with emphasis on those living in marginalized and less-advantaged areas as an excuse to extract their various rights as well as empowerment in all areas. The center stresses the need to reduce the gap between women’s participation in the labor market compared to men’s participation who are about four times more than them. In addition to invest their capabilities and give them opportunities to get involved in the advancement of the Palestinian economy.
Celebrate March 8th … tribute and appreciation to women’s struggle
“END”