RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- In Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip, are excluded from international forums on the future of Palestine and Palestinian reconciliation. Only delegations consisting of men participate in the international forums or just four women are included to the delegations. This situation has hampered the international forums on Palestine for more than 17 years.

Islam Abu Sarar, member of the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees, thinks the reason for the low women’s participation in international forums is the exclusion of women from politics in Palestine. Noting that the history of Palestinian women's struggle dates back to 1929 and before, she said, “In Gaza, there is only a woman minister. There is a patriarchal ideology that deprives women of politics. Palestinian feminist figures must not only represent their parties, they have capacity to hold decision-making positions such as prime minister. Palestine has a history full of resisting women such as Shadia Abu Ghazaleh.”

‘This is a real crisis’

Islam Abu Sarar explained that for 70 years, Palestinian women have been working with all segments of society inside and outside the home, experiencing their pain and problems, trying to solve problems. “So they have sufficient awareness about the nature of the situation in Palestine. Palestine women have been going through an experience that differs them from all the women in the world; they have spent years under occupation. I think their absence in international forums is a real crisis.”

In her speech, Islam Abu Sarar pointed out that the political role of women has been declining since the beginning of the Palestinian division and conflicts among political parties for holding decision-making positions. “Consequently, women have been deprived of decision-making and policy-making positions and laws no longer guarantee equal political participation. UN resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. Although the resolution was ratified by Palestine, it has not been implemented. Due to the deteriorating economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, women have to work long hours to make both ends meet so they do not have time to participate in politics.”

‘The absence of women has hampered the attempts for reconciliation’

Speaking about the patriarchal mindset in Palestinian society, she said:

“Our society thinks that women cannot make politics and that they need men in politics. Women’s roles have been limited in our society. This situation deprives women from politics and the absence of women in politics has hampered the attempts for reconciliation. Palestinian women should unite and be solidarity with each other to participate in politics and international forums on Palestine. Political parties must increase their  quota for women from 30% to 50%.”