Al-Khalili reviews the situation of local institutions in Anabta and emphasizes the importance of strengthening protection and empowering women.

Tulkarm – August 5, 2026

The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Mona Al-Khalili, visited Dar al-Kawthar for the Elderly and People with Special Needs in the town of Anabta, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Tulkarm, Mr. Faisal Salama, and a delegation from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, including the Deputy Minister, Ms. Buthaina Al Salem. Her Excellency toured the facility and learned about the services it provides to the elderly and people with special needs, and met with the Elderly management staff. She also met with the Mayor of Anabta, the Engineer Mr. Hamdallah Hamdallah, and representatives of women’s organizations and local bodies to discuss the situation of women in the town and ways to strengthen cooperation and partnership to support development initiatives and programs, within the tour to Tulkarem governorate.

Al-Khalili praised the humanitarian and social role played by Dar Al-Kawthar, emphasizing that strengthening social protection and caring for the most vulnerable groups are an important part of the national action framework. She noted that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is working with partners to develop and strengthen the protection system for women through the National Referral System for Victims of Domestic Violence and the National Observatory for Monitoring Violence Against Women, thereby, contributing to the provision of more accurate data on forms of violence and women’s needs, and enhancing institutions capacity to respond and direct programs and services according to priorities.

Al-Khalili emphasized the importance of partnering with local authorities and community organizations as key partners in supporting women’s issues and enhancing their participation in local development. She outlined the Ministry’s efforts in the areas of economic, social, and political empowerment, as well as the Economic Empowerment Initiative aimed at supporting grassroot women’s organizations, and to enhance economic opportunities for women, in a manner that responds to the needs and specific characteristics of each region.

For his part, the mayor of Anabta, the Engineer Mr. Hamdallah Hamdallah, welcomed the minister and the accompanying delegation, appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in supporting women's issues and empowering them. He affirmed that Anabta has a rich history in women's work since the 1960s, where the town witnessed an active presence of women's associations, noting that women in Anabta are distinguished by their community presence, academic achievements, and participation in various fields. He emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation between the municipality, women's institutions, and local bodies to come up with joint initiatives that serve women and enhance their role in the local community.

Ms. Sawsan Abdel Halim, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Dar al-Kawthar, welcomed the minister and her accompanying delegation, providing an overview of the facility and the services it provides to the elderly and people with special needs. She noted that the facility employs 32 people, most of whom are women, including a number of displaced women from refugee camps in the Tulkarm Governorate. She emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with official institutions to support the elderly’s Dar mission and strengthen its capacity to provide services.

The meeting included a discussion on the situation of women in the town of Anabta and their needs. The participants emphasized the importance of supporting women’s initiatives and projects and promoting opportunities for economic empowerment, as well as developing partnerships between the municipality and women’s organizations to better serve women and enhance their participation in local development.