2025-04-17

The first training session for the “School Debates on Women’s Political Participation in Palestine” project was launched by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in partnership with the Palestinian National Commission for Culture, Education and Science.

The training, conducted by the Abdullah Daoud Foundation, targets teachers and supervisors in public preparatory schools across several governorates. Its aim is to empower them to impart skills and knowledge to students within a project that promotes women’s civic and political rights and participation. The project seeks to cultivate a culture of constructive dialogue, raise awareness of rights, and strengthen the concepts of citizenship and belonging.

Thuraya Hajja, Projects Director at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, opened the session and emphasized the importance of the training program in enhancing Palestinian women’s political participation and empowering youth to advocate for justice and equality through dialogue.

Nihaya Al-Tirawi, Director General of Community Education at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, affirmed in her address that the project aligns with the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to empower women and enhance their political participation. This is consistent with the government’s vision and the Ministry’s priorities, which focus on empowering women at the political, economic, legal, and social levels, and fostering a spirit of inquiry, analysis, and active participation among students.

For his part, Hamed Abu Makhkho, Director General of Student Activities at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of instilling a culture of women's political participation among school students. He stressed the Ministry's commitment to integrating women's issues into various educational activities. He also commended the competence of the educational supervisors participating in the training and their ability to effectively convey these concepts. He expressed his pride in the partnership with the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the National Commission for Culture and Science, recognizing their role in developing student awareness and promoting the concepts of equality and justice.

Irene Sadqa, Acting Director General of Programs and Projects at the National Commission, delivered the Commission's address, conveying the greetings of Dr. Ali Zeidan Abu Zuhri, Chairman of the National Commission. She affirmed the Commission's commitment to securing high-quality projects funded by UNESCO, ALECSO, and ISESCO to support Palestinian educational and cultural institutions and enhance their intellectual presence. The Ministry of Women's Affairs announced the launch of the "School Debates" project, funded by ISESCO and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The project aims to empower students to express their opinions, address societal issues, and enhance their awareness of human rights and women's rights through a culture of dialogue and acceptance of others.

This project marks the beginning of training in political action and decision-making skills across different educational levels. It includes eight schools in four governorates: Jenin, Jerusalem, Nablus, and Hebron, targeting middle school students, in line with the Ministry's vision of supporting the role of youth.