YWCA of Palestine to host international conference on UN Resolution 1325

The YWCA of Palestine, in coordination with the World YWCA, calls on YWCA Associations around the world, human rights activists and institutions, ecumenical partners and churches, to join us as we continue to work towards Peace and Justice, and support women to achieve their rights, especially their rights for security, freedom, and dignity, and holding violators accountable.

United Nations Security Resolution 1325 (NSCR 1325) coincides with the agenda of the Palestinian women’s movement, as it combines the requirements of national liberation and women’s needs to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, social progress and rights to enshrine values of democracy and equality. UNSCR 1325 recognizes the right/need for women’s participation in peace, as well as protection from, and prevention of violence (including gender based violence).

The Conference will be held for Three Days in Bethlehem, Occupied Palestine, between 29 September and 1 October 2014. Participants of the Conference should plan to arrive on Sunday 28th September.

A Pre-Conference Witness Visit will be organized for YWCA and other ecumencial international partners from 26th – 28th September. Participants of Witness Visit should plan to arrive on Thursday 25th September

Departure Date is Thursday October 2. (Note: On Friday noon 3 October 2014, the Israeli airport and borders will be closed for Yom Kippur Holiday).

This 3-day witness visit is intended to offer participants an opportunity to experience life in Palestine under occupation, as well as offer them an opportunity to witness the unique challenges the YWCA Palestine faces in providing services. Meetings will be organized with key leaders and organizations that can talk about what women face under military occupation and patriarchal structures. Some visits to selected YWCA activities/programs will also be included.

Young Women are particularly encouraged to register and participate in this Conference.

The Conference Objectives/ Expected Outcomes are to:

Contribute actively to the discourse on Women, Peace, Justice and Security;

Offer a platform especially for young people to voice their aspirations and come up with tangible recommendations that can culminate their efforts for peace, justice and dignity;

Enlighten and raise awareness amongst YWCA’s globally, and other global partners and networks on the situation in Palestine;

Create/strengthen, advocacy and solidarity networks within the YWCA global movement, churches, ecumenical partners and other international partners, to strengthen their support for Peace and Justice in Palestine including the implementation of UNSCR1325;

Contribute to the development of a YWCA position paper on Peace and Justice, that will include a strategy for monitoring of UNSCR1325 Action Plans in their respective countries;

Include a Conference Statement on Women’s Freedom, Peace and Dignity in Palestine.