The history of the YWCA of Palestine is closely linked with the history of Palestine and has been affected by the tumultuous events of the whole region. Like a solid rock, the YWCA has withstood all political storms by shaping and molding itself to comply with the needs of the people, always at the service of women and the community.
Informal groups of Christian women start meeting in Jaffa and Jerusalem as YWCA groups.
The YWCA is formally established in Jerusalem.
YWCA activities come to a complete halt as a result of Al Nakba (the catastrophe), and the subsequent uprooting of the Palestinians.
The YWCA establishes its women’s training center and preschool in Aqbet Jaber refugee camp, Jericho. The YWCA is one of the first NGOs to provide services for Palestine refugees before the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is established.
The YWCA establishes its vocational training center at its headquarters in Jerusalem.
With the occupation of the West Bank, the YWCA establishes pre-schools in the Qalandia and Jalazone refugee camps on premises provided by UNRWA, which are later expanded to accommodate women’s activities.
During the first Intifada (uprising), the YWCA continues to provide social and economic services and support for the Palestinian people.
The YWCA of Palestine is approved as an independent association at the World Council in Stavanger, Norway.
During the second Intifada, due to movement restrictions and the Apartheid Wall, the YWCA opens its vocational training center in Ramallah.
The YWCAorganizes a witness visit for international participants with the aim of offering them the opportunity to experience daily life in Palestine under military occupation. The visit includes witnessing the Israeli Apartheid Wall and check points in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the confiscation of land and natural resources, uprooting of trees, home demolitions, and the expansion of illegal settlements on confiscated Palestinian lands.
The YWCA of Palestine, in cooperation with the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI), organizes another witness visit for international participants.
The YWCA convenes the international women’s conference under the title “Women’s Freedom, Peace, and Dignity in Palestine: UNSCR 1325 for Accountability”.
The YWCA local association in Bethlehem is established.
The National YWCA is established and registered at the Palestine Ministry of Interior.
The YWCA convenes its international youth conference under the title “Youth Participate and Youth Decide: Towards Freedom and Justice”.
The Former General Secretary of the YWCA of Palestine, Mira Rizeq, is elected as President of the World YWCA, on behalf of the Middle East, during the 29th World Council in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The YWCA of Palestine believes in women’s empowerment through intergenerational leadership. 25% of our board members are young women aged 30 years or under at the time they are appointed. The board, headed by Haifa Baramki, oversees the association's strategic planning and works towards reaching our goal of achieving gender equality, just peace, and building a free and democratic Palestine. This is a great platform for young women to build their capacities, gain new experience, engage in developing our policies and most importantly realize their full potential as leaders in the association and in their own communities. The General Secretary of the YWCA of Palestine Amal Tarazi is in direct contact with and reports to the Board of Directors.
