An-Najah Launches a Two Day International Conference on ‘Women Between Patriarchy and Colonialism: Women’s Experiences Under Occupation and Colonialism’
On Monday, April 15th, 2019, An-Najah National University’s Women’s Studies Graduate Program and the Office of International Development and External Affairs in cooperation with the General Union of Palestinian Women held the ‘Women Between Patriarchy and Colonialism: Women’s Experiences Under Occupation and Colonialism’ International Conference. The conference aimed at bringing together both activism and research to reflect on women’s strategies to survive everyday life in a colonial context.
The event was attended by Dr. Kherieh Rassas, An-Najah’s Vice President for International Development and External Affairs, Mrs. Intisar Al-Wazir, President of the General Union of Palestinian Women, Ms. Dalal Salameh, Member of the Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fateh), Dr. Mohammad El-Amleh, VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Samah Saleh, Chairperson of the conference and Head of Sociology and Social Work Department as well as a number of representatives of women's organizations and experts in the legal and social fields, students and other prominent figures.
In the opening speech, Dr. Rassas welcomed the attendees and expressed her happiness with the strong local and international participation in the conference. She noted how An-Najah has supported important societal and national issues, first and foremost women's issues, pointing to women's struggle and experiences in Palestine and how Palestinian women continue to struggle against oppression. Dr. Rassas also referred to women's rights in Palestine and commended recent Palestinian legislation and laws adopted by the Palestinian Authority with regards to women's rights.
She added that the current Palestinian reality makes it imperative for all women's institutions to deepen cooperation with community institutions to empower women. Lastly, she expressed hope that this conference will deliberate and discuss all the different facets of this exciting topic and come up with recommendations that will lead to a better, healthier, world in Palestine.
In her speech, Mrs. Al-Wazir thanked the event participants, organizers and supporters for their efforts and stressed the importance of the conference's themes. She praised Palestinian women for their steadfastness and sacrifice and highlighted how the Palestinian woman has been and continues to be the partner of the Palestinian man in his struggle and resistance since the beginning of the Palestinian revolution.
Al-Wazir also referred to the General Union of Palestinian Women or (GUPW) as the official representative of Palestinian women and said that it was established in 1965 as a body in the PLO with the goal of creating an active role for women in the social, economic and political spheres of the Palestinian territories.
Dr. Saleh pointed out that the conference will showcase conceptual, theoretical and empirical research that explore the experience of women in conflict areas and strive to amplify women’s experiences of militarization, refugee status, political participation, economic empowerment, and violence both regionally and globally.
She also noted that the conference will discuss topics related to women under colonialism and occupation.
The conference included four sessions, the first focusing on “Revising Narratives: Feminism, Palestine and Gender Justice," presented by Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, as well as "Feminists' Role in National Liberation,” presented by Ms. Mona Alkhalealy of the General Union of Palestinian Women.
The second session, titled "Gender Based Violence" began with Professor Muhammad Haj Yahya presenting on "The Patriarchal Nature of Arab Societies and its Relationship to Wife Abuse" followed by Dr. Ameera Shaheen’s research on "Enhancing Health Care Response to Gender Based Violence in the Palestinian Territories," and moderated by Dr. Sanaa Sargholi.
The third session, titled "Women Under Occupation and in Areas of Conflict and International Law" included a presentation by Tamara Tamimi of Miftah, "Protecting Women From Conflicts in War Zones: Palestinian Women as a Case Study," followed by a presentation of ‘The Role of Women in Making Decisions and Their Ability to Change Decisions Within the Palestinian Authority " by Dr. Maysoon AlRajhi Malaysia. Hadi AlSheeb presented on "International Protection of Women During Armed Conflicts" and the session was concluded with a presentation by Mrs Reema Nazzal, ‘A Palestinian Feminist Perspective on the Execution of the 1325 Resolution."
The third session was followed by a Round Table on women in the workplace and included a presentation by Manar Younes, "The Reality of Palestinian Working Women in Israeli Settlements," Hiba Jitawwi’s ‘Palestinian Women Working in Agriculture Under Occupation,"Duha Maari and Dr. Alia Assali’s ‘Representation of Women’s Work in the Palestinian Curriculum’ and a presentation by Palestinian police officer Rana Kholi.
A parallel session on women under colonialism and occupation included diverse presentations including ‘The Invisible Struggle of Palestinian Women and Ending Occupation, ‘Understanding Female Palestinian Activists and Seeking Hope and Equality, ‘Women’s Freedom is the Basis of Self Determination: A Kurdistan Case Study,’ and a Palestinian Case study.
A student focuses research workshop on ‘Participatory Action Research in STE'M, Feminist Research Methodologies' was led by Dr. Deborah Young and included an overview of feminist research strategies and techniques. The workshop was attended by current undergraduate students of the medicine, engineering, and science fields.
The second day of the conference will include panels and discussions on marriage in Palestine, society and feminist research, women between secularism and religion, women and displacement, refugee experiences, and women within popular resistance. The conference is expected to conclude with a session on recommendations and strategies going forward as well as a closing certificate ceremony.
