Roles for Social Change association (ADWAR) held a conference in the occasion of the international month of eliminating violence against women

Roles for Social Change Association (ADWAR) finished a conference entitled “The Importance of Upgrading the Level of Social Services and Enhancing Social Participation for Men and Women” under the auspices of Hebron governor, ministry of women affairs, and ministry of local government, with the attendance of 200 participants (140 women-60 men).Within the activities of “The Social Movement for Bedouin Women in the Occasion of the International Month of Elimination Violence” project in corporation with Catholic Relive Services CRS through the framework of civic participation program CPP, funded by the United States Agency for International Development USAID.
The conference aimed at confirming the importance of social participation for Bedouin women in targeted Bedouin communities south east of Yatta (Um-alkhair, Al-hathaleen,Al-fakeer, Al-najada), and to direct their efforts towards claiming their gender based needs from decision makers in Palestinian National Authority ministries and organizations, also joint action with local councils to activate their role in introducing social services to women, in addition to shedding light on the fact of Bedouin communities and the extent of their suffering in front of different NGOs, women, human rights, and Palestinian society organizations ; in the occasion of the international month of eliminating violence.
The conference started with a welcome speech by Mrs. Sahar Al-Kawasmeh general director of ADWAR association, in which she concentrated on the role of the association in working towards fulfilling gender needs in Hebron governorate based on Palestinian national agenda. In addition to the results of the project in which she confirmed that that it accomplished the goals through cooperative relation with local councils. It helped breaking the barrier of fear and silence for Bedouin women, who claimed decision makers from related ministries to the need of upgrading the level of introducing health and educational services. Although Bedouin society do not accept the concept of social participation for women, but this project contributed and enhanced the participation of Bedouin women in all activities and events. Young men and women and local councils played a distinguished role in preceding the social movement and raising their voices in front of officers from governmental and nongovernmental organizations and Palestinian society in general.

Mr.Kamel Humaid Hebron governor confirmed the importance of women associations in Hebron governorate, in which they take a distinguished part towards highlighting women’s role, also he asserted his attention to work with Bedouin communities, support them, and took notice of their needs on the upcoming new year 2014.
For her part Mrs. Rabeeha Thiab the Minister of Women’s Affairs pointed to the willing of the ministry to visit those marginalized Bedouin communities, support them, and work to fulfill their needs as a priority to discuss with council f ministers. Furthermore, she pointed to the necessity of organizing their priorities according to the most important.
Then Mrs. Hanan Emseeh director of gender unit in ministry of local government introduced a speech in which she pointed to the role of the ministry in supporting the needs of Bedouin communities southeast of Yatta. Also, she referred that the ministry will work to fulfill those needs by working with different parts, and the importance of future work in enhancing the participation of Bedouin woman in political decision making in local councils. As she thanked Mr. Ibraheem Al-Hathaleen for his efforts is supporting Bedouin women.
Mrs. Amal-AlJu’ba the coordinator of Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, introduced a word pointing to the role of the center in reaching those women and listening to their needs, she also demanded the necessity of holding a field meeting with those communities and all governmental and nongovernmental organizations for joint action to upgrade the level of services in Bedouin communities.

Furthermore, Mr.Ibraheem Al-Hathaleen the representative of local councils in Bedouin communities southeast of Yatta introduced a speech valuing the role of ADWAR association in shedding light on the needs of civilians in Bedouin communities. And he showed the most important needs which are paving roads in order to facilitate the functioning of transportation, also demanded the establishment of a services center includes health and social services, and a feminist club allow women to express their needs and develop their knowledge and skills.
In the same context Mrs. Kefay Al-Hthaleen introduced a speech on behalf of all women and young men and women in Bedouin communities, she expressed the most important needs of Bedouin women and the extent of suffering they live in. she claimed officials of different related ministries to build a separate school for girls which allows them to continue high school, also, she claimed more chances of employment for graduates.

At the end of the conference, all reports on the needs of Bedouin communities have been delivered by Roles for Social Change Association (ADWAR) to the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and Hebron governor, that is for future joint action towards upgrading the level of social services in Bedouin communities located southeast of Yatta.