NAGHAM KARAJEH

Gaza- The Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS) has carried out activities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip to support women living in rural areas since it was founded in 1987. Having more than 3,000 members and 56 branches across Palestine, the RWDS has been developing many projects to combat violence and discrimination against women and girls.

The RWDS has provided psychological and legal support to women and girls and carried out activities to raise awareness against gender-based violence. In an interview with NuJINHA, Maha al-Masri, one of the project coordinators at the RWDS, said, “We do our best to promote the rights of rural women and create a fair environment for them in their communities. The aim of our society is to create a women's movement in rural areas to promote women's rights everywhere.”

44 cooperatives

The RWDS has developed several innovative projects as part of its three programs aiming to promote women’s political, economic and social participation. “We aim to ensure gender equality in rural areas of Palestine based on international conventions and standards. One of our programs aims to promote women’s economic empowerment. Until now, we have founded 44 cooperatives to provide employment opportunities to women living in rural areas and to fight women’s poverty.”

They prepare reports on violence against women

The RWDS also prepares reports on violence against women. “Palestinian women, especially women living in rural areas, are subjected to violence due to customs and traditions. We carry out awareness-raising activities to combat violence against women. We also prepare reports on violence against women.” The RWDS also carries out activities to promote women’s political participation.

Activities for men

The RWDS holds meetings in rural areas to encourage women victims of violence. “Women still cannot go out due to the patriarchal mentality. We carry out activities to educate men so that they can respect women’s rights,” said Maha al-Masri.

Maha al-Masri thinks NGOs must be supported and women’s organizations must unite to ensure gender equality.