The Central Elections Commission (CEC) concluded today a project on the empowerment and enabling of women political participation in elections which was implemented from August until December 2018 with funds from the Government of Norway.
On this occasion, a closing conference was held today in Ramallah and through video conference with Gaza in the presence and participation of CEC Chairman, Dr. Hanna Nasir, Commissioner, Mr. Ishaq Muhanna, CEO, Mr. Hisham Kuhail, Norwegian Head of Mission, Ms. Hilde Harldstad and representatives of partner organizations.
The conference explored the project’s implementation stages through a documentary, presented the project outputs and action plans of partner organizations and discussed future interventions towards enhancing women political participation.
In his opening speech, Dr. Nasir indicated that the project is in line with CEC’s vision and commitment to the concept of electoral cycle which is achieved through the implementation of projects that serve this mission and enhances public awareness of the rights and duties of democratic practices. Dr. Nasir also stressed that CEC’s implementation of this project comes in response to the pressing need for empowering women political participation and enabling access to leadership positions through active electoral participation.
On her part, Ms. Hilde Haraldstad, stated that the closing conference celebrates the culmination of the joint efforts that resulted in the development of the implementation plan that will contribute to the achievement of active women participation in Palestine. Adding that Norway is proud to partner with the Central Elections Commission as one of the active partners in the implementation of the Norway’s action plan for women, peace and security to increase women’s political freedom of action and influence in Palestine
The conference highlighted key outputs of the project mainly, the implemented capacity building program which targeted 93 women activists from CSOs across the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the aim of building their capacities, enhancing their electoral awareness on the importance of women political participation as well as encouraging joint cooperation between organizations to develop action plans to enhance women political participation. The project also resulted in conducting 38 national awareness sessions targeting 1200 participants to increase awareness and partnership and formed a platform for discussion of the developed action plans. A national advocacy campaign was widely conducted promoting women rights in political participation, resulted in the production and broadcast of TV and radio episodes and spots. The final implementation phase included developing of future interventions towards sustainability of projects to enhance women political participation.
It should be indicated that the overall goal of the project is to increase partnership with CSOs, governmental organizations and local councils in the area of enabling women electoral participation, disseminate awareness messages in support of women participation in the policies and activities of their organizations by engaging all components of local communities in developing of action plans towards enhancing women electoral participation.