Minister of Women’s Affairs Meets with Women’s Organizations and Women in Hebron’s Old City and Underscores the Importance of Partnership in Strengthening Women’s Resilience

The Minister of Women's Affairs meets with institutions and women in the Old City of Hebron and emphasizes the importance of partnership to strengthen women's resilience.

The Minister of Women's Affairs, Ms. Muna Al-Khalili, in the presence of the Governor of Hebron Governorate, Mr. Khaled Dudin and the Minister of Culture, Mr. Imad Hamdan with representatives of women's institutions and women in the Old City of Hebron, during a meeting held at the premises of the Hebron Reconstruction Committee, to discuss the reality of women in the Old City, the main challenges they face under the practices of the occupation, and ways to enhance their resilience and empowerment. The meeting was held in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs, Ms. Buthaina Al-Salem, the accompanying delegation from the ministry, and a number of representatives from national and local institutions.

The Minister of Culture, Mr. Imad Hamdan welcomed the Minister of Women's Affairs and the accompanying delegation, emphasizing the importance of the visit in shedding light on the reality of the Old City of Hebron and the continuous challenges it faces due to the practices of the occupation. He pointed out that the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee continues to follow up the needs of the Old City residents, including the needs of women, in addition to, documenting and recording the occupation's violations against the residents, and working to amplify their voices and strengthen their steadfastness on their land.

For his part, the Governor of Hebron Governorate, Mr. Khaled Dudin, affirmed that the Palestinian woman in the Old City represents a model of resilience and steadfastness despite the restrictions and occupation measures targeting the residents and the components of life. He emphasized the importance of the integration of efforts by official and civil institutions to support women and enhance their steadfastness, enabling them to continue their national and social roles in protecting the family and society.

The Minister of Women's Affairs, Ms. Mona Al Khalili expressed her appreciation for the national efforts made by the institutions working in the Old City, valuing the role of the Hebron Reconstruction Committee, the Hebron Governorate, women's institutions, and local authorities in supporting women's resilience. She pointed out that the ministry follows up on the issues and challenges facing women in the Hebron Governorate and works to convey them to the Cabinet, contributing to the development of government interventions and responding to their needs.

Al-Khalili emphasized that all institutions working in the women's sector are required to enhance partnership, integration, and unify efforts to empower women at various levels, affirming that economic empowerment represents a strategic goal for the Ministry of Women's Affairs in light of the difficult economic reality and the repercussions of aggression. She also announced the launch of economic initiatives specific to the Hebron Governorate and called on women, especially in the Old City, to present qualitative and innovative ideas and projects capable of bringing about real change in their communities, contributing to the resilience of women and creating sustainable economic opportunities.

The participants expressed their appreciation for this visit, emphasizing the importance of direct meetings in conveying the reality and needs of women. They reviewed the main challenges facing women in the Old City and the closed and marginalized areas, reaffirming their steadfastness despite the ongoing violations. They also emphasized the importance of developing laws that protect the family and safeguard women's rights, expanding economic and social empowerment programs, launching projects that enable mothers thru child-specific programs, in addition to implementing training and awareness programs in various fields, and enhancing psychological support services for women and children, which contributes to strengthening the resilience of Palestinian families.

Eventually at the end of the meeting, Al-Khalili affirmed that the Ministry of Women's Affairs will continue to strengthen its partnerships with various national and local institutions, and listen to the needs of women in different regions, contributing to the development of government programs and interventions, and enhancing the resilience of Palestinian women and their role in development and maintaining the social fabric.