ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WOMEN'S CENTER

The Women’s Center was established in 1997, within Shu’fat Refugee Camp, as part of the Community Development Center that was built and furnished by the German Government (under the UNRWA supervision) to serve and address the needs of women and children of the camp. The center mandate would be grounded by the social, economic, cultural and educational needs of the camp's population of women and children; as well as to provide counseling and recreational activities.

In 2002, the Center became an independent Palestinian NGO, receiving its registration with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior (number RA/ 6896111), and transforming it into an independent, non-governmental Palestinian organization that would work closely with other civil society organizations to further develop the Palestinian local community.

The Center is managed by an administrative committee, which elects nine members every two years. The committee supervises the planning and funding of programs and projects. A group of female personnel, appointed by the committee, execute and maintain the daily programs, projects and activities.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The main goal of the center is to mobilize women in the refugee camp, and in the adjacent geographic areas, to actively participate in the promotion of a number of key social awareness initiatives. The center aims to promote equal opportunities and to reinforce a greater role for Palestinian women in all areas of society: economic, social, educational, cultural and political. Through its varied training schemes, the center act to encourage and support the development of female community leaders. The center aims at improving the socio-economic situation of women through is technical training programs, and by developing a greater awareness of issues pertaining to health, the environment and child rearing. The centre also provides a number of local services by way of a kindergarten, a nursery and a library. In the past few years different social projects have also been introduced, in an attempt to stem the increase in delinquency among the Camp’s youth, especially the drug abuse and addiction.

During the past six years, the center has been able to attract many of the Camp’s residents, despite their different geographic or legal backgrounds (mixed refugee/non-refugee statuses), where at least 1000 women, children and elderly are served each month at the center, through its various programs and projects.

Palestinians of Shu'fat Camp, and the surrounding geographic areas of Anata and Hizma villages, have often been denied educational opportunities; sites for cultural activities and community development resources. The Women's Centre aims to position itself so as to mobilize the necessary resources for women, youth and children to meet the evolving needs of these subgroups of society; to afford women, youth and children the skills and ability to engage in self-help and learning, and the improvement of their society.

 

MAIN GOAL OF THE CENTER

The main goal of the center is to mobilize women in the refugee camp, and in adjacent geographic areas, to participate in promotion of social awareness initiatives. The center aims to promote equal opportunities and to reinforce a greater role for Palestinian women in all areas: economic, social, educational, cultural and political, through training and to encourage and train female community leaders. The center aims at improving the socio-economic situation of women through technical training programs; and by developing a greater awareness of issues pertaining to health, the environment and child rearing. The centre also provides additional services through a kindergarten, a nursery and a library. In the past few years, different social projects were also introduced to face the increase in delinquency among the youth inside the camp, including drug addiction.

During the past 6 years, the center has been able to attract the residents of the camp despite their different geographic or legal backgrounds (refugee/non-refugee) where at least 1000 women, children and elderly are served monthly at the center, through its different programs and projects.

Palestinians of Shu'fat Camp, and the surrounding geographic areas of Anata and Hizma villages, have often been denied educational opportunities; sites for cultural activities and community development resources. The Women's Centre aims to position itself so as to mobilize the necessary resources for women, youth and children to meet the evolving need of these subgroups of society; to afford women, youth and children the skills and ability to engage in self-help and learning, and improvement of their society.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER

1. To develop the social, educational, cultural, economical and political status of women in Shu’fat Camp and adjacent areas.

2. To enhance human rights culture as well as international rights of women.

3. To defend rights of Palestinian women mainly the refugees through various means and in accordance with international and local laws.

4. To enhance principles of the sovereignty of law, respect of human rights and legal equity among men and women in the Palestinian society.

5. To create channels of communication and coordination with local, Arab and international organizations in order to: promote the exchange of expertise; reinforce accomplishments; support joint developmental struggle.

6. To promote women’s participation in developing the Palestinian society at all levels, combating stereotype and its negatives impact on the development process.

7. To mobilize social forces at the grassroots level to reinforce women’s role as an equal partner in all areas.

8. To develop female young leaders fully aware of development needs in their local society and willing to presume their role at all areas.

9. To promote collective team work and reinforce the belief of all women members to advance general women welfare upon individual interests.

10.To develop the concept of voluntary work for women to build and further develop the Palestinian society.

11.To encourage women creativity and invest in its development.

12.To provide rehabilitation and training for women in various fields and to provide job opportunities.

13.To up raise the academic level of women, in particular, and children, in general.

14.To activate women’s role in providing unique social services especially in the field of childhood and combating social blights.

15.To provide entertainment programs to women and children for different age levels.