Ministry of Social Development Launches Digital App to Enhance Palestinian Women's Awareness of Gender-Based Violence
Ramallah – On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Ministry of Social Development launched a specialized training workshop to introduce a new digital application aimed at strengthening Palestinian women’s capacities to confront gender-based violence. The event was inaugurated by the Ministry’s Undersecretary, Mr. Taha Al-Irani, and attended by Women Protection Counselors from various directorates, specialists from the Beitunia and Mahwar Protection Centers, and representatives from the Palestinian Counseling Center and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Al-Irani emphasized that this digital initiative aligns with the Ministry’s broader direction to harness technology in advancing social protection and empowering women with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their resilience and safety. He also underscored the importance of building the capacities of field staff through training on how to use the app and enriching it with awareness content that reflects diverse community contexts.
Ms. Rawan Hawash, Capacity Building Program Officer at the Palestinian Counseling Center, delivered a detailed presentation on the app's concept, components, and usage. She explained that the app was developed in partnership with UNFPA to serve as a practical tool for empowering women with knowledge of their rights and access to available services. The app includes specialized instructional materials and interactive guides categorized by governorate, making it a comprehensive platform for raising awareness and enhancing the guidance skills of social workers.
Ms. Sanaa Assi, representing UNFPA, affirmed the Fund’s continued support for the Ministry’s efforts in protection and empowerment. She noted that the app represents an important tool for increasing awareness among women and girls about gender-based violence, providing specialized educational content and a comprehensive directory of relevant services across Palestinian governorates.
The application offers a range of specialized educational and instructional materials, along with an updated directory of support services categorized by governorate, including Jerusalem. Covered service areas include healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, economic and social empowerment, and protection services—making the app a dynamic and interactive platform for both women and professionals in the field.
The workshop aims to train protection counselors and social workers on how to effectively use the application and to contribute awareness materials related to counseling and violence reporting mechanisms, in order to guide women and families toward effectively accessing the provided information and services.
The app is available at the following link:
https://intel.ps/PCC/app.php