Gazans oppose violence against women

Dozens of women in the Gaza Strip participated in the formation of a “human chain” yesterday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Those participating in the event organised by the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza carried signs that read “No to violence against women” and “together for a work environment safe from violence against women.”

They also called for ending the occupation as well as the violence and oppression exercised by the occupation against Palestinian women.

The participants called on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to immediately and urgently intervene to protect female Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

In a statement issued during the event, in front of the UN headquarters in Gaza city, the PNGOs asked the UN to pressure Israel to respect the dignity of female prisoners and release them. They also stressed the need to release female child prisoners and the need to provide detainees with medical attention and food in accordance with the international conventions.

The statement also indicated that the occupation’s violence is still the main hindrance to Palestinian women, preventing them from continuing their internal struggle against all types of discrimination in society. It is also a hindrance to the development of the society in the direction of democracy, equality and social justice, they explained.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated every year on 25 November. It is a day when the UN, governments and international organisations call for the organisation of activities and events that raise awareness regarding this issue.

Images by MEMO photographer Mohammed Asad.