NEXEM KERACA

Gaza- Recently, a new method has been used in Palestine that violates women's right to education and deprives them of many opportunities; female university students are not allowed to enroll in most of the departments.

Bisan Sharafi, who graduated from the Press Department of the Al-Quds University in 2013, noted that the discrimination policies against female students are unlawful. “Undoubtedly, these policies are unconstitutional. For instance, article 9 of the Palestinian Constitution says: All Palestinians are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”

Female students earn higher grades

Bisan Sharafi carried out a study on female university students in three universities of Palestine. “The number of female students who have high grades is higher than male students. But despite their success, they are not allowed to enroll in some departments. The female students don’t have equal opportunities due to the discrimination policies of Palestinian universities. Practically and academically, female students are being prohibited from enrolling in special departments, from being successful. They don’t allow women to become a doctor, a teacher, or a computer programmer.”

Female students are only allowed to enroll in six departments

Bisan Sharafi told us that the universities allow female students to enroll in only six departments but not in 26 departments. “This problem can be resolved legally. This issue is one of the duties and responsibilities of the ministries and the officials of the universities.”