11 December
Ramallah, West Bank
Yesterday in the Ramallah Womens’ Training Centre, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) concluded its two-week campaign to end violence against women. In attendance were Ms. Karen Abu Zayd, the Agency’s outgoing Commissioner-General, Barbara Shenstone, Director of UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank, and Her Excellency the Minister of Women’s Affairs Mrs. Rabiha Diab, as well as a diverse audience of activists, officials and students of UNRWA schools and training centres.
The ceremony opened with the Palestinian national anthem and a speech by Ms Abu Zayd focusing on the morale of Palestinian women, and the Agency’s efforts to combat gender-based violence in an environment where human rights violations are common. A speech by Diab focused on the role of women in government, and the preservation of women’s rights though Palestinian legislation and decision-making.
Light entertainment was also on hand courtesy of students from UNRWA schools, who performed with music and song. Posters and banners calling for an end to gender-based violence were also festooned around the event, which ended with the presentation of a film designed to provoke discussion.
UNRWA organized a campaign against violence against women from the November 25th 2009 until December 11th 2009, to coincide with an international campaign on the issue. Yesterday’s event marked the final day of that campaign.
For further information, please contact:
Public Information Office
UNRWA West Bank Field Office
Tel: +972 2 589 0409
- ENDS -
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