/ cfd projects in Palestine
cfd helps organisations in Palestine which are working to make the position of women stronger in society, laws and politics and to get women better access to education and jobs. cfd’s partner organisations try to end conflict in a non-military way and work for the participation of everyone in political negotiations.
Participation and freedom of movement
The attacks by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip cause many civilian victims and make projects for the future impossible. By making their settlements larger and by building the over 700 km long wall between Israel and Palestine, Israel has broken up the West Bank and made new borders in it and around it. Economic and social life has almost stopped because people can no longer move around. Most Palestinians now have no jobs and are poor. In the Gaza Strip, 80% of the population is now dependent on food and money from the UN’s support agency UNWRA.
For women, the militarization of the conflict means even more limits on their political and social activities. Also, because of the government takeover by Hamas and its armed conflict with Fatah, cfd’s non-religious partner organisations are asking themselves new questions: in the future, will it be possible for feminist political ideas to be part of the changing official structures? How will the institutions change? Can and will the new/old leadership force its conservative social plans on the whole country?
Activities against violence
Things have got worse again for Palestinian women, but not only since the change in government: Families take their daughters out of school before their schooling is finished because the way to school is too dangerous and the costs are too high. Patriarchs say that the areas occupied by the Israelis and fought over by Palestinian groups are too dangerous so that they can more easily control women and children. Also, violence in families is increasing because of growing economic and political problems. This is happening especially in families where the men can no longer earn enough money to feed their families or have been made to feel shame in Israeli prisons or at checkpoints. Women’s organisations are looking at the connections between military, structural, and family violence. In community work and public campaigns, they are showing the people the problems of violence and how conflicts can be stopped by non-violent actions. There are also empowerment projects for women so that they can free themselves from violent situations.
Political empowerment
By empowering women’s groups and women politicians and with political campaigns, women’s organisations are fighting for women’s needs and rights in politics. This is why these organisations also talk to women in the political opposition. To get more influence in political negotiations, they also work for equal rights and equal opportunities in the peace process with governments and international institutions