The minister Ms. Mona Al-khalili welcomed the initiative of the minister's council that underlies the activation of the gender units in several or number of line ministries and governmental institutions

The minister Ms. Mona Al-khalili welcomed the initiative of the minister's council that underlies the activation of the gender units in several or number of line ministries and governmental institutions, within a reform governmental approach that aims to institutionalize the gender cases and enhance gender integration in general policies, plans and governmental budgets in harmonization with the governmental program and the reform plan and institutional development.

Al-Khalili emphasized that this step represents an important strategic milestone towards strengthening gender-responsive governance and consolidating the principles of social justice and gender equality within state institutions. This will be achieved by developing an effective institutional model for gender units that can subsequently be replicated across various government departments, taking into account the functional and sectoral characteristics of each institution and its development objectives.

Al-Khalili further explained that the decision represents the culmination of national and technical efforts led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, in cooperation with government partners and the Government Reform Office. These efforts aim to address the challenges that have hindered the work of gender units in recent years and to strengthen their role as an institutional mechanism capable of influencing planning, policies, programmes, and public budgets.

She added that the first phase will involve working with a number of ministries and government institutions, including the Ministries of Health, Finance, Education, Local Government, and Transport and Communications, as well as the Energy Authority and the Water Authority. The aim is to develop an integrated institutional model that can be replicated across the Palestinian government apparatus.

She further emphasized that gender units constitute a fundamental pillar in enhancing government performance, improving the quality of public services, strengthening the effectiveness of gender-responsive planning, and supporting the preparation of gender-responsive budgets. They also contribute to strengthening compliance with relevant national and international commitments concerning women’s rights and gender equality.

She also noted that the decision is aligned with the priorities of the nineteenth Government, and Palestine’s national vision for development and advancement. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation and their empowerment across various sectors, recognizing gender issues as an integral component of institutional reform and sustainable development.

The minister stressed that institutionalizing gender units will enable government institutions to work in a more integrated and effective manner in response to differing needs of women and men. This will contribute to the development of public policies that are more equitable, inclusive, and capable of addressing current social and economic challenges, particularly the repercussions of the aggression against our people.