Kvinna till Kvinna in Palestine
Why we work in Palestine
Women’s daily lives in Palestine are affected by two complex and interrelated factors: the occupation and society’s oppression of women.
Israel’s policy of occupation has caused territorial and political fragmentation; imposed mobility restrictions and broken up Palestinian territory in three separate areas: the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Gaza is entirely isolated from the rest of the world by an Israeli blockade. Its humanitarian situation is acute: there is a severe lack of basic commodities, electricity and medicine. As a consequence, the economy has collapsed, poverty and unemployment rates have risen, and domestic violence and abuse have become more prevalent.
Palestine’s fragmented legal framework discriminates against women by limiting their access to legal protection. It also restricts women’s rights to equal pay for equal work, maternity leave and social protection.
Politically, women have been largely excluded from participating in decision-making. Space for change is limited because Palestinian democracy is paralysed. Kvinna till Kvinna supports local organisations that struggle to advance women’s rights in spite of this limited space.
How we support women in Palestine
Together with our partner organisations in Palestine, we:
- Offer trauma support to women suffering from the consequences of the occupation
- Provide legal aid and support to victims of gender-based violence
- Combat child marriage
- Mainstream women’s rights and counter conservative gender norms
- Promote women’s participation in decision-making
Our work in Palestine is conducted from our office in Jerusalem, from which we support both Palestinian and Israeli women’s rights organisations.