CSW – Forty-ninth session/Palestinian women – Press release (excerpts)

GENDER-SENSITIVE MACROECONOMIC POLICIES, REGIONAL GENDER-EQUALITY PROMOTION

SUBJECTS OF WOMEN'S COMMISSION PANEL DISCUSSIONS

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Background

The Commission on the Status of Women met today to convene two panel discussions on the integration of gender perspectives in macroeconomics and the role of regional and intergovernmental organizations promoting gender equality.

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Afternoon Panel

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WADOUDA BADRAN, Director-General of the Arab Women Organization, …

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Regarding the status of women in armed conflict, especially under occupation, the Arab League had made exhaustive efforts to offer moral and financial support to Arab citizens in Arab occupied territories, she said.  The Arab women’s commission had issued recommendations, calling on all international and regional forces to work to end the violations of Palestinian women and families.  It had called on the immediate and unconditional release of female prisoners in Israeli jails.  The Arab league had continued its governmental efforts through sponsoring women’s organizations activities.  Arab countries continued to seek ways to empower women.

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Ms. BADRAN said the Arab League had formed a civil society commission and department.  It cooperated with non-governmental organizations of national and regional scope.  Regarding women’s participation in decision-making level positions, she noted that last year the first female assistant secretary-general had been appointed.  Women constituted some 40 per cent of the League’s staff.  On support to women under occupation, financial support was through the Al-Quds or Al-Aqsa funds.  Regarding moral assistance for Palestinian women, the League had sent an urgent letter to the Commission on the situation of Arab women prisoners.  On incorporating gender into curricula, the Arab women’s organization would hold a workshop for the heads of Arab universities in which the issue of incorporating a gender perspective would be addressed.

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