The YWCA of Palestine Implements Youth-Led Initiatives to Demand the Adoption of the Family Protection Bill

The YWCA of Palestine in partnership with the Palestinian NGOs Forum to Combat Violence against Women (Al Muntada) implemented a number of youth-led initiatives during the 16 Days of Activism within "Sawasia 2" joint program between UNDP/PAPP, UN Women, and UNICEF. The Initiatives were aimed at raising community awareness of the importance of the Family Protection Bill and supporting its adoption. Below, we highlight each initiative.

1. By Law We Rise

An initiative implemented by four young women and men in Palestine Technical University Khadouri in Tulkarm. 50 people took part in the initiative activities including students, university officials and members of the Tulkarm municipal council. Through the initiative, a photo exhibition was organized highlighting violence against women. The youth also distributed awareness brochures around the Family Protection Bill and collected petition signatures demanding its adoption.

2. Family Protection is a Path Not a Decision

An initiative implemented by three young women who organized a bike ride in Ramallah on 25 November 2020 as part of launching the 16 Days of Activism to raise community awareness of the importance of the Family Protection Bill in eliminating gender-based violence and demand its prompt adoption. 40 young women and men took part in the activity, which was followed by a release of orange balloons at the endpoint, Ramallah Municipality. The young women also organized a workshop, which was attended by 15 youth to discuss the importance of the Family Protection Bill and collect petition signatures demanding its adoption.

3. Let’s Agree to Protect Our Families

An initiative implemented by five young women and men from Hebron Governorate, which aimed to survey public opinion of the Family Protection Bill and raise awareness of its importance in eliminating gender-based violence. The youth distributed awareness brochures about the bill and conducted interviews, especially with a number of female and male lawyers. The initiative was concluded with a street theatrical performance in addition to displaying photos of battered women.

4. Violence is a Crime Not a Home Secret

An initiative implemented by seven young women and men from Nablus Governorate in a number of marginalized areas. Through the initiative, the youth distributed awareness brochures about the Family Protection Bill and its importance in eliminating gender-based violence. They also produced a short film about domestic violence, which was shared on social media.

5. Dark Spot

An initiative implemented by four young women and men from Nablus Governorate in the town of Asira ash-Shamaliya. The youth organized a workshop around the Family Protection Bill, which was attended by 11 women. They also screened a short video documenting the stories of a survivor and a victim of domestic violence during a meeting in which 20 women participated. The youth invited a specialized lawyer to talk about the Family Protection Bill during the meeting and distributed awareness brochures about the bill. In conclusion of the initiative, they organized a tour in Ancient Sebastia in which 16 women took part. The tour included a rap performance, which focused on issues of violence against women.

6. The Parents of Tomorrow

An initiative implemented by two young women and a young man from Hebron Governorate, and it targeted university students as they play an important role in lobbying and advocating for the adoption of the Family Protection Bill and transferring knowledge to their communities. The youth distributed awareness brochures about the bill and its importance in eliminating gender-based violence in Hebron University and Al Arroub Agricultural College. They also organized individual meetings with students around the role of youth in demanding the adoption of the bill in addition to an open day to raise awareness about its importance, which was attended by representatives of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, the Future Youth Arms Forum, and Al Quds Open University. This is in addition to producing a short film documenting the initiative activities, which was shared on social media.