PWWSD Advocates for Palestinian Women's Rights at UN Women, Peace and Security Meeting in New York

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development-PWWSD recently participated in the second meeting of the Women, Peace, and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS-HA) Compact, organized by the WPS-HA Compact at the Irish Mission office at the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting included the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs representatives from the 1325 Coalition, PWWSD, and missions from various countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, and Ireland. Discussions focused on the severe humanitarian and security challenges faced by Palestinians under occupation.

Minister Mona Al-Khalili highlighted the catastrophic impact of ongoing aggression on Palestinian women, stressing the urgent need for international action to provide protection, ensure empowerment, and guarantee access to fundamental rights such as education and healthcare.

During the meeting, Mrs. Nisreen Al-Najjar, a board member of PWWSD, addressed the missions, emphasizing the responsibility of countries under the Geneva Conventions to protect civilians during times of war and conflict. She invoked the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), urging nations to fulfill their duty when faced with mass atrocities like genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, or crimes against humanity. She questioned, “How many more Palestinian lives need to be lost before these obligations are activated and fulfilled?”

Mrs. Al-Najjar also highlighted the Palestinian right to resist the occupation guaranteed by international law, and reiterated that Palestinians are committed to upholding international standards, despite the occupation’s violation of all norms and legal frameworks.

PWWSD continues to advocate for the protection and empowerment of women in conflict zones and remains committed to advancing women’s roles in peace and security, regionally and globally.