Launching “We Men Are Your Allies” project

ADWAR, in partnership with The Gender Forum in Local Governance, held Saturday 9/10/2021 the first dialogue sessions (listen and talk) within the project “We Men Are Your Allies” in Al-Khader, southwest of Bethlehem, in cooperation with Strengthening Women in Decision-Making in the Middle East (LEAD) program, implemented by (GIZ) with the authorization of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

A group of women who had gone through the experience of local bodies in the town, whether by candidacy or as elected members, participated in the dialogue session, which was held in cooperation with the Al-Khader municipality, in addition to a group of young men and men from the town. Expanding channels of dialogue and listening about the concepts of gender and political participation in local governance, and addressing the most important obstacles and challenges that prevent women from accessing political decision-making positions.

“We Men Are Your Allies” project targets men and women in four towns: Al-Khader and Battir in Bethlehem Governorate, Beit Ummar and Ethna in Hebron, with the aim of recruiting men and youth and changing their attitudes about supporting Palestinian women and young women in political participation in local governance as an influential force, through the formation of Men’s alliance to Support Women’s Political Participation in Local Governance.

It also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of women’s participation in decision-making positions in local government by forming a state of public awareness at the grass-roots level and leaders, and the need to consider them an essential and effective part of the general Palestinian decision.