MoSD Inspects Protection House Project for Women, Girls, and Children with Disabilities at Jabal Al-Najmeh Center in Partnership with UNDP
Ramallah – The Minister of Social Development conducted a field visit today to inspect the establishment of a specialized Protection House for women, girls, and children with disabilities at Jabal Al-Najmeh Rehabilitation Center. The project is implemented in partnership between the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), represented during the visit by Alexander De Croo, as part of efforts to strengthen the social protection system for the most vulnerable groups.
The visit comes within the framework of implementing the 2011 Cabinet decision on the protection of abused women. The Ministry is overseeing the establishment of a specialized protection house targeting women, girls, and children with intellectual and physical disabilities, with priority given to cases involving severe disabilities and high-risk situations.
In her remarks, the Minister stated that the establishment of the Protection House is grounded in the 2011 Cabinet decision and operates within the regulatory framework governing protection centers and the National Referral System for survivors of violence. She noted that the Ministry of Social Development chairs the project’s supervisory committee, while the Ministry of Women’s Affairs serves as deputy chair, reflecting institutional integration in managing this file.
She clarified that the Protection House is a short-term residential protection center rather than a long-term care institution. It will provide a specialized service previously unavailable for this group, both in terms of infrastructure adapted for physical disabilities and the presence of qualified professional staff capable of addressing issues of disability and violence simultaneously.
The project aims to provide immediate safety, psychosocial support, rehabilitation services, and community reintegration based on clear admission criteria and defined risk levels, within the approved National Referral System and Protection Centers framework.
During the tour, the Minister and the UNDP representative reviewed the final finishing works of the building, which has a capacity of 15 beds. The facility includes rooms adapted for physical disabilities with accessible bathrooms, rooms designated for women and girls, others for mothers and their children, a dedicated children’s space and play area, all designed in accordance with public safety standards and accessibility arrangements for wheelchair users.
The Ministry indicated that the next phase will focus on finalizing the regulatory legal frameworks, appointing specialized staff, securing operational funding, and developing a comprehensive operational plan covering all human and logistical needs in coordination with partners.
For his part, the UNDP representative reaffirmed the importance of supporting national efforts to enhance the protection of women and persons with disabilities, emphasizing continued partnership to ensure the sustainability and quality of services.
The establishment of the Protection House at Jabal Al-Najmeh Center responds to an urgent national need and aligns with the Ministry’s vision to strengthen the social protection system and uphold the human dignity of the most vulnerable groups in Palestinian society.
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