Invest to prevent violence against Palestinian refugee women and girls – UNRWA Press Release

AMMAN,

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) joins the global call for an end to gender-based violence under the United Nations Secretary-General’s 2023 UNiTE campaign: Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.

Amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with potential long-term consequences for women and girls, the Agency is resolute in standing against all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) while marking this year’s 16 Days of Activism.  Our commitment to ending violence remains unwavering as we come together during these difficult times to organise initiatives across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. These events aim to raise awareness on the different forms of violence experienced disproportionately by women and girls and mobilise civil society to take a leading role.

Given the current war, activities in Gaza will focus on emergency response initiatives tailored to address pressing needs identified in the Rapid Gender Analysis. Simultaneously, in the West Bank, where the Gaza war reverberates within the Palestine Refugee community, activities will centre around collaborating with the community and civil society to eradicate GBV.

In Jordan, schools and community centres are set to host GBV activists to foster discussions around women’s empowerment. In Syria, the emphasis will be on raising awareness and conducting focus group discussions on GBV. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, local organizations championing women’s and girls’ rights within the nine largest camps will unite in a march under the rallying cry, “اتحدوا ضد العنف #UNITE Against Violence.”

UNRWA’s Head of Gender, Amrita Kapur, emphasizes that in times of conflict, women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence. “The increase in GBV can be attributed to forced displacement, lack of access to health care and to community services. UNRWA is preparing tailored response efforts, incorporating internal staff training on GBV with a specialized focus on a survivor-centred approach, psychosocial support and addressing social norms and gender bias.”

“Six weeks into the war in Gaza, UNRWA is sheltering over one million internally displaced people in its schools and premises throughout Gaza. These shelters are hopelessly overcrowded, and the conditions are appalling, lacking the bare minimum of hygiene and privacy. This situation has deeply gendered impacts and particularly affects women and girls,” says UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “We must work together to ensure that incoming aid promptly and effectively addresses their unique needs.”

UNRWA is dedicated to working with Palestine Refugee communities, persistently advocating for women’s rights and advancing gender equality, especially in the current crisis.