MoSD Organizes Workshop to Discuss Draft Regulation for Women’s Protection Centers
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development, in cooperation with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC), organized a workshop titled “Presentation and Discussion of the Draft Regulation for Women’s Protection Centers” at Caesar Hotel in Ramallah, with the participation of representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, the police, as well as a number of legal experts and stakeholders concerned with women’s protection.
The workshop comes as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the social protection system and develop the legal frameworks governing women’s and girls’ protection centers, ensuring improved service delivery and a safer, more supportive environment for protection and care.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, emphasized the importance of partnership between ministries and community institutions in developing a regulation that responds to real needs on the ground. She noted that the Ministry is working to update systems and procedures to keep pace with evolving realities in Palestine, particularly amid the ongoing aggression on Gaza and the growing humanitarian challenges.
Dr. Hamad stressed that protecting women and girls is a top priority for the Palestinian government, and that developing the new regulation for protection centers constitutes a key step toward promoting social justice, equity, and ensuring a dignified and safe life for Palestinian women. She also commended the role of security agencies and civil society partners in strengthening protection for women and children and in continuing to provide services under difficult circumstances.
For her part, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Mona Al-Khalili, said that organizing this workshop comes at a critical time for Palestine, as women continue to face the devastating impacts of the ongoing aggression and its repercussions on families and society. She emphasized that developing an effective protection system is an urgent national necessity to provide support and care to affected women and help restore their safety and stability.
Al-Khalili added that this workshop falls within the broader national efforts led by the National High Committee to Combat Violence Against Women, which seeks to unify and integrate institutional efforts through organizing protection mechanisms — including the National Observatory on Violence Against Women and the National Referral System — and aligning these efforts with the Third-Generation National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325, to ensure a comprehensive and effective national response to women’s needs under all circumstances.
Meanwhile, Ms. Randa Siniora, Director-General of WCLAC, highlighted the importance of complementarity between the government and civil society sectors, praising the progress achieved in procedures related to the protection of abused women. She noted that the State of Palestine has made significant strides in developing its protection system, including regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and protection centers.
Mr. Nasser Al-Rayyes, the legal advisor overseeing the drafting process at WCLAC, presented a detailed overview of the proposed draft regulation, based on a comprehensive analytical study of the gaps and needs identified in the 2011 Protection Centers Regulation, developed in close collaboration with the Ministries of Social Development and Women’s Affairs.
The presentation outlined key proposals aimed at enhancing the legal and procedural framework of protection centers, aligning them with national and international human rights standards, and strengthening the integration of protection and social care services.
The workshop concluded with a wide-ranging discussion among participants, during which feedback and comments were exchanged on the proposed articles, paving the way for finalizing and formally adopting the regulation within the national social protection framework.
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