Al-Khalili: Integrating women's issues and needs into the programs of the bloc nominated for the Legislative Council is a national entitlement.

Ramallah – The Minister of Women's Affairs, Ms. Mona Al Khalili met today with Nasser Al-Rais, advisor to the Association for the Protection of Female Workers from Violence and Harassment in the Workplace, and the director of the association, Afaf Gattasha, in the presence of the Deputy minister, Ms. Buthaina Al-Salem, to discuss the preparations for a workshop that the association intends to organize next September on issues of violence and harassment in the world and workplace environment, in addition to discussing a number of national issues and priorities related to women's issues.

Al-Khalili welcomed the association's delegation and appreciated its role in highlighting issues of violence and harassment in the workplace. She emphasized the importance of integrating efforts between government institutions and civil society organizations to enhance the protection of women and ensure a safe working environment for them. Minister Khalili emphasized that the upcoming phase requires a unified vision, especially in light of the ongoing preparations for the legislative council elections, ensuring the integration of women's issues and needs into the programs of the candidate blocs, in line with the commitments of the State of Palestine, national priorities, and the needs of various segments of society, particularly women, thereby enhancing the presence of women's issues in national policies, legislation, and programs.

For her part, Ghattas praised the efforts of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in following up on women's issues and enhancing their protection, and extended an invitation to the minister to participate in the workshop scheduled to be held in September, which will address issues of violence and harassment in the workplace. She emphasized the importance of developing and enhancing definitions related to harassment and discrimination in line with the reality of women and the challenges they face, especially in light of the increasing rate of crimes and violence committed against women, which necessitates a review of the regulatory frameworks for protection and strengthening the response to these issues.

In turn, Al-Rais emphasized the importance of taking practical steps to combat violence in all its forms and enhancing efforts aimed at protecting women in the workplace. He stressed the significance of women's economic empowerment, especially in light of the ongoing repercussions of aggression and its economic and social impacts, which have particularly affected women, including land confiscation and its direct impact on them. He also emphasized the importance of reviewing relevant legislations and laws, which would enhance the protection of women, their resilience, and their ability to face various challenges.