Every PWWSD program is anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, UNSCR 1325, and the broader architecture of international human rights law.
PWWSD programs directly advance ten of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals — with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) as the central thread running through all our work.
PWWSD aligns its work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international human rights frameworks, ensuring a lifecycle approach that addresses the needs of women/young women, adolescent girls, and children. While SDG 5 (Gender Equality) remains central, PWWSD’s programming also advances key SDGs that directly impact the well-being, safety, inclusion, and futures of girls and young women. Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals: PWWSD’s 2021–2026 strategic objectives and long-term vision are directly linked to the SDGs, with a primary focus on gender equality, economic participation, leadership, and freedom from violence. The organization contributes to poverty reduction through decent work and income generation, and to social cohesion through rights-based advocacy, partnerships, and community mobilization. To achieve these goals, PWWSD strengthens its impact via partnerships with official institutions, civil society, and international stakeholders operating within the same framework.
PWWSD works to reduce poverty by empowering women economically, especially those heading households in marginalized areas. Microfinance support and vocational training help them establish small enterprises. Economic empowerment programs e.g., livelihood projects target marginalized women, reducing poverty by fostering self-reliance.
PWWSD advances adolescent girls’ health and psychosocial well-being through age-appropriate health education, life-skills development, and positive parenting support for caregivers. Programming includes individual and group psychosocial support, peer clubs, and the creation of safe community spaces where girls can connect, learn, and heal. Robust referral pathways link participants to primary health care, protection, and specialized services.
PWWSD promotes women’s and girls' access to education, with programs that build knowledge on gender rights, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The "Student Support Program" offers scholarships to underprivileged students (82 beneficiaries in 2024), while workshops enhance skills for employment.
Through training programs, cooperative development, support for women's entry into the labor market, and advocacy for labour rights (e.g., amendments to the Palestinian Labor Law), PWWSD fosters sustainable economic empowerment and decent work for women, particularly in informal sectors.
Ensuring equitable access for marginalized women and girls is a core priority. PWWSD designs inclusive services for women and girls with disabilities, women and girls in rural or Area C locations, and those from low-income households. Practical enablers—such as transportation stipends, accessible materials, and tailored outreach—are integrated to close participation gaps.
PWWSD collaborates with communities to make public spaces safer for women and girls by co-developing safe routes to school, advocating for improved public lighting, and creating welcoming, supervised gathering spaces. Recognizing the importance of safety in digital environments, the organization also equips young women and girls with digital literacy and strategies to prevent online harassment and exploitation.
PWWSD works to prevent violence against girls by strengthening community safeguarding, case management, and referrals to woman and child protection services. PWWSD also documents Israeli violations against women, advocates for accountability, and aligns its advocacy with UNSCR 1325 and Youth, Peace & Security principles to ensure women and girls’ rights are protected in the Palestinian context.
PWWSD amplifies impact through collaboration with ministries of education, health, and social development; municipalities; community-based organizations; academic partners; and international agencies. Joint programming, coordinated policy advocacy, and shared data systems strengthen service delivery and influence systemic change for girls and young women.
Across all SDGs, PWWSD applies rights-based and survivor-centered approaches, adheres to Do No Harm standards with robust safeguarding and ethical referral pathways, and prioritizes localization through meaningful community participation—including the engagement of women and girls’ advisory groups to co-design solutions. Data is disaggregated by age, location, disability, and vulnerability to ensure equity, monitor inclusion, and guide continuous improvement.
CEDAW — ratified by Palestine in 2014 — is the international bill of rights for women. PWWSD has built its entire institutional framework around implementing and monitoring CEDAW obligations across 12 key articles.
Using the CEDAW definition to analyze and challenge all forms of direct and indirect discrimination against women in Palestine.
Advocacy for constitutional and legislative reform to eliminate discrimination against women in Palestinian law.
Ensuring development programs are gender-responsive and that women benefit equally from all development initiatives.
Programs challenging harmful gender stereotypes, patriarchal norms and discriminatory social practices.
GBV services, safe houses and legal protection for women at risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Leadership programs building women capacity to run for office and participate in political decision-making.
Non-formal education, literacy, and vocational training programs ensuring equal educational opportunity for women and girls.
Advocacy for equal pay, maternity rights, and non-discriminatory employment policies, paired with livelihood programs.
Sexual and reproductive health rights programs, psychosocial support and referral pathways for women in need.
Targeted programs for women in rural and agricultural communities, including in Area C and border villages.
Legal literacy programs and free legal aid ensuring women know and exercise their rights under Palestinian law.
Combating child marriage, supporting divorce and custody rights, and reforming discriminatory personal status laws.
Beyond the SDGs and CEDAW, PWWSD work is grounded in a comprehensive system of international norms, conventions and resolutions that together define the global standard for women rights.
PWWSD operationalizes UNSCR 1325 across the Women, Peace, and Security pillars — participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery — through sustained advocacy, community-led organizing, survivor-centered services, and capacity building.
The 1995 Beijing Declaration committed governments to a comprehensive agenda for women's empowerment across 12 strategic objectives. PWWSD's programs directly address 9 of these critical areas, with particular focus on violence against women, women in power, education, health and economic participation.
Allows women to bring complaints directly to the CEDAW Committee. PWWSD informs women of this right and supports documentation of violations.
Protecting girls from child marriage, violence, discrimination and exclusion from education — addressing the intersecting vulnerabilities of gender and age.
Europe most comprehensive legal framework for preventing violence against women. PWWSD aligns its GBV programs and legislation advocacy with Istanbul Convention standards.
The foundation of all international human rights law. PWWSD anchors every program in the fundamental principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the UDHR.
The 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind — especially women in conflict, marginalized and occupied communities — guides target group selection and program design.
Builds on UNSCR 1325 — integrating women, peace and security into counter-terrorism. PWWSD ensures Palestinian women perspectives are centered in security discourse.
Our annual reports and impact dashboard show exactly how PWWSD work delivers on SDG, CEDAW and international commitment targets.
