The YWCA of Palestine concludes the program YW4A – Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability” after five years of joint work, achievements, and empowerment.
YWCA of Palestine Concludes “YW4A” – Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability” Program After Five Years of Joint Work, Achievements, and Empowerment
Ramallah September 29, 2025
The YWCA of Palestine today, Monday, concluded the “YW4A” program (Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability), after five years of joint work that brought together national governmental, civil society, grassroots, and international institutions. The program aimed to empower young women and strengthen their presence in leadership and decision-making spaces.
The closing event was held at the Palestinian Red Crescent Theatre in Al-Bireh, with wide official and community participation, led by H.E. Minister Ms. Mona Khalili, Minister of Women’s Affairs; H.E. Minister Dr. Inas Al-Atari, Minister of Labor; Mr. Daniel Stork, Deputy Head of Mission at the Representative Office of the Netherlands in Ramallah; Ms. Casey Harden, Secretary General of the World YWCA (via a recorded message); Rev. Sally Azar, the first female pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; and Ms. Luma Tarazi, President of the YWCA of Palestine Board. Also present were representatives from ministries, unions, organizations, national and international institutions, young women from the program across the governorates, and YWCA staff and board members.
The ceremony was opened by Ms. Inas Ikhlawi, the event moderator, who welcomed the guests.
On behalf of the YWCA of Palestine.
Ms. Mayadah Tarazi delivered a speech welcoming the audience. She affirmed that throughout more than 132 years, the YWCA has represented a model of resilience and community action, continuing to support women and youth despite the immense challenges imposed by occupation and limited resources. She stressed that the “YW4A” program provided a genuine platform for young women to lead change locally and globally.
Ms. Lina Al-Khatib, representing the young women of the program, spoke next, highlighting that the program gave young women the space to discover their capacities and lead national initiatives in defending women’s rights and combating violence. She emphasized that the voices of young women are a real force capable of making tangible change in society, and she thanked all those who supported the program and opened opportunities for them to become active and influential voices in Palestine.
In her speech, Rev. Sally Azar stressed that the voices of young Palestinian women are voices of hope, resistance, and resilience, underscoring the importance of strengthening their leadership roles in society and the church.
Mr. Daniel Stork praised the partnership with Palestinian civil society and the efforts of the YWCA in creating safe spaces for young women, considering the Palestinian experience an international source of inspiration in the struggle for justice and equality.
Ms. Casey Harden, Secretary General of the World YWCA (via recorded message), expressed the World YWCA’s support for initiatives to empower Palestinian young women and the importance of continuing partnerships with local civil society to advance justice and equality.
Minister of Labor Dr. Inas Al-Atari emphasized that empowering women and young women is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and that social justice cannot be achieved without their full and active participation. She explained that the Ministry has been working to develop national laws and policies to ensure a safe and fair work environment. Through a joint technical committee that included young women from the “YW4A” program, civil society organizations, and the Workers’ Union, the Ministry drafted a regulatory framework to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, alongside developing a comprehensive national plan to address all forms of gender-based violence. She affirmed that these steps reflect a genuine partnership between government, civil society, and young women, contributing to the protection of working women and the realization of equality and justice in the Palestinian labor market.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women’s Affairs H.E Ms. Mona Al Khalili emphasized that Palestinian women have always been at the heart of the national liberation struggle, bearing a double burden under ongoing aggression through hunger, denial of education and healthcare, and gross violations of their fundamental rights. She stressed the Ministry’s commitment to working on two complementary tracks: protection from the violence of occupation through political, legal, and international advocacy efforts; and social protection through the development of laws and comprehensive empowerment programs for women. She also noted that recent international recognitions of the State of Palestine represent an important step toward freedom and independence, affirming that the priority remains achieving a ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian aid entry, releasing prisoners, moving towards reconstruction, and realizing an independent Palestinian state.
The event featured a documentary film summarizing the program’s journey (2021–2025) and the success stories of young women. This was followed by an open dialogue between representatives of the young women, local, and international partners, discussing the program’s impact in Palestine.
Participants also shared powerful testimonies under the theme “Young Women’s Leadership Journey.” The closing performance was a play titled “Matab” by Al-Harah Theatre, addressing the issue of workplace harassment through the story of a young woman facing harassment from her employer, shedding light on the internal struggles and challenges women encounter in workplaces.
The YWCA of Palestine affirmed that the conclusion of the program does not mark the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase of work, building on the legacy of five years of struggle and empowerment. The Association renewed its commitment to working alongside young women, the local community, and international partners for justice, equality, and human dignity—until a just peace rooted in human dignity is achieved.
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