Violence against women in the occupied Palestinian territories is widespread, reports UN news agency IRIN, but the issue often overshadowed by Israeli-Palestinian fighting, settlement expansions, and other Palestinian political woes.
Rights groups name a struggling economy, inter-Palestinian political tension (Fatah and Hamas), and the Israeli occupation among the reasons for "the rising number of cases of violence against women." These rights groups also say "disinterest in domestic abuse" among Palestinian courts give offenders a tacit impunity that has "made matters worse."
"Palestinian Women and Security: What Palestinian Women and Girls Do Not Feel Secure," published in March by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), explores the issue further. The report says the "social stigma" of speaking out of your marriage keeps many women in a cycle of domestic abuse.
“Women and girls explained that they were reluctant to resort to women’s organizations, human rights organizations, or security and justice providers, such as the police and courts, because of the strong social stigma attached to reporting abuse.”
A 2008 survey by the research center Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) reports that 74% knew of no women's rights or humanitarian organizations in their area, but 77% still said laws should be enacted "to protect women from domestic violence."
In 2009, the Gaza-based Palestinian Women's Information and Media Center released a report drawing a link between the Israeli economic blockade and an upsurge in violence against women. Huda Hamouda, PWIC director, says "widespread unemployment was one of the biggest contributors to household stress, and in turn male violence towards females." And then there's poverty wrought by the blockade. Says Hamouda of its effects:
"It's hard to imagine a family living in dignity when they live on less than three dollars a day. Many say they don’t feel respected and suffer depression. Poverty affects education and public participation. It limits their social standing,” she said.
The international community has responded as well. The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Commission on the Status of Women has approved the text of a report on "the status of and assistance to Palestinian women." The draft will be sent to ECOSOC for adoption.
Click here to read the article.
Click here to read the PWIC report.
Click here to read the AWRAD report.
Click here to read the DCAF report.
Click here to read the Commission on the Status of Women report.
Photo: Iqra Newspaper - Flickr
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16 Mar 2010 12:12 PM
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