Identities of female Palestinian electoral candidates hidden

Palestinian election documents have caused controversy after some female candidates were listed them as “sister” or “the wife of …” instead of using their actual names.

Questions have been raised about whether or not such candidates can partake in government if they are not comfortable with their names being disclosed.

Director of a Coalition of Women’s Organisations in the Gaza Strip, Nadia Abu Nahla said the lack of publication of women’s name is a step back for the political parties.

“Through this move we see a regression in our actions as Palestinians as we are a people who are proud of our women as an essential part of society who have equal roles and rights as men. Women were partners [with men] throughout the struggle. Therefore it is a disgrace for any national or independent list to withhold the names of women.”

She added that the women’s names have not been withheld because of social conventions. She asked: “If we do not recognise their names how will they be able to attain positions to coordinate the needs of women in the planning and coordination committees of the municipality?”

“If our names have become part of our modesty, then our voices do not need to back the lists that veil the names of women.”

Previous Palestinian elections have not carried the pictures of female candidates instead using images of roses and doves as placeholders.