Gaza – The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) concluded a training course as part of the project for “strengthening women’s electoral participation in the democratization process – public approach”, in cooperation with the Central Elections Commission and funded by the European Union. This came as part of the collaboration project with CSOs.

Trainer, Fatima Ashoor said that the 8-day training targeted women from all over the Gaza Strip, and addressed several topics related to elections, such as Palestinian election law, basic law, local council law, election campaign management, election supervision, democracy, citizenship, and women’s political participation. The training included several practical exercises, such as roleplaying, brainstorming, and discussing barriers to women’s political participation.

PWWSD Gaza Office Coordinator, Sawsan Elayan said that the training was the second phase of the project, where 10 young women leaders were chosen through awareness workshops held all over the Gaza Strip. These sessions aimed to increase and strengthen women’s political participation and electoral representation. Elayan noted that the organization continuously supports women and encourages their electoral participation in the democratization process.

Participants expressed how the training course benefited them. Yasmeen Amoor talked about the topics addressed in the course, such as self-confidence for girls, leadership, democratic elections, the legal framework governing elections, election supervision mechanisms, election campaign management mechanisms, and the practical side of the election process. Rahma Abu-Odeh mentioned that the training had a positive effect on their willingness and readiness to participate in the election process as candidates, voters, and supervisors.

Rehab Ar-Rawagh said that she is ready to participate in elections. Ar-Rawagh noted that the lack of women’s rights and electoral participation stems from a lack of awareness for women, and praised the organization’s contribution to these informative trainings that serve to raise women’s awareness of their legitimate rights.

The training concluded with PWWSD handing out certificates to all participants. Eman Abu-Mustafa then spoke for the participants, thanking the organization for focusing on marginalized rural areas of the Gaza Strip, and continuing its programs to support Palestinian women.