Launching the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Jenin in Support of Displaced Women

Jenin – The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence officially began today, Tuesday, in Jenin Governorate, in an event organized by the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, and with the participation of national and international institutions, in addition to the Deputy Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The opening ceremony was led by Mr. Raed Nazzal, followed by remarks from the Head of the Popular Committee for Services in Jenin Camp, Mohammad Al-Sabbagh, and then a speech by the representative of Jenin Governorate, Ahmad Al-Qassam, who emphasized the importance of protecting displaced women amid the exceptional circumstances imposed by the ongoing attacks and the escalation of settler assaults on residential areas and roads surrounding the city.

In his remarks, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Mr. Taha Al-Irani, stressed that gender-based violence intensifies in contexts of displacement and forced relocation, noting that the Ministry follows up daily on the situation of women who lost their homes or were forced to move to collective shelters. He affirmed that protecting women is not a temporary response but a national responsibility that requires building a sustainable system of services.

For her part, Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ms. Buthaina Salem, highlighted that violence against women takes many forms, including digital violence, which has seen a significant rise in recent years. She emphasized the importance of enhancing women’s awareness of their rights and ensuring their access to a safe environment.

Ms. Hanan Qamar from UN Women affirmed that displaced women in Jenin face heightened risks due to loss of stability and privacy, noting that current conditions increase their exposure to various forms of violence, particularly violence linked to displacement and unsafe environments. She stressed the importance of providing safe spaces and integrated services for women and girls to ensure their protection and enable them to exercise their rights safely.

Ms. Iman Nazzal, representing the Palestinian NGO Forum to Combat Violence Against Women, emphasized that the 16 Days campaign represents a national and international platform to highlight violence against women and girls, raise awareness of their rights, and encourage society to seriously confront all forms of violence, with a focus on the most vulnerable groups, including displaced women and girls. She called for strengthening cooperation between governmental, civil society, and international institutions to provide psychosocial support and essential services for women and to enable them to access a safe and dignified life.

The event also featured testimonies from several displaced women who spoke about the lack of privacy in their current housing conditions and expressed their desire to return to their homes and restore their normal lives. The participants stressed that they do not need “aid parcels,” but homes, safety, and stability.

A displaced student also shared her experience, highlighting the difficulties she faces in reaching her school due to the long distance, and the impact this has on her academic achievement and sense of stability.

Women’s organizations operating in Jenin presented an overview of their services for women, including case management, psychosocial support, and awareness on rights and protection, affirming their continued efforts to reduce the impact of displacement on women and girls.

The event concluded with a field visit to review the living conditions of displaced women and identify the most urgent needs related to housing and essential services.