Outcome PAL_O_2

Increased engagement of partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate

In 2021, national and international partners, including civil society organizations, international NGO’s, UN Sister Agencies, and Member States were mobilized to advocate for the development and implementation of laws and policies on EVAW. As a result, women voice and agency were through alliance building and the increase of stakeholders who were engaged in advocacy campaigns. Building on the successful collaborations for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence joint campaign in 2019 and 2020 in Palestine, national and international partners in West Bank including East Jerusalem, as well as Gaza Strip gathered in solidarity to mark the 16 Days Campaign in 2021. In 2021, in line with the UN Political Engagement Strategy on GBV, the Task Force on the Family Protection Bill (established in 2019 by PALCO to coordinate the advocacy efforts on FPB and other women’s right issues among participating organizations) developed and launched the 16 Days Campaign “ Women and girls: Safe at home, online, in the street, at work and in society as a whole” which gathered a record high of 101 partners (53 national civil society organizations and coalitions, 12 international NGOs, 19 UN agencies and Joint Programmes, 14 donors and 3 government institutions). Partners came together to : Support GBV survivors’ access to services through empowering messages, Engage men and boys in combating GBV , Engage the general public on GBV to break the silence and reduce stigma on GBV, with a focus on youth and Advocate with the Government to adopt a legal protection framework that ensures women and girls’ protection against any forms of GBV. On-site and online activities were rolled out throughout Palestinian cities and villages, in the form of orange lightings, policy dialogue and diplomatic meetings, outreach activities, public events and film competitions, women’s story-telling sessions, capacity building, and media and social media campaigns. During the campaign, eleven orange lighting events in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, were organized in addition to numerous oranging of social media accounts. The buildings and the sites were: Sabastiya archaeological site; the Italian agency for cooperation development; the British Consulate; the Austrian Representation Office; part of the separation wall near Bethlehem (lit in orange by EU); Netherlands Representation Office; Paltel Building; the National Bank; UNRWA building; Hebron Courthouse; and Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. The campaign witnessed expanded collaboration with civil society, especially youth organizations and organizations and active involvement of youth, particularly the Gender Innovation Agora.

Increased engagement of partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate

This outcome was partially achieved as planned. Dedicated initiatives with private sector partners (such as the 14 March 2022 Ring the Bell virtual ceremony) provided opportunities to engage non-traditional partners (such as the Palestine Exchange (PEX), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Palestinian Capital Market Authority (PCMA)) as women engaged in decision-making on climate change, adaptation, mitigation, and response as well as in providing innovative financial solutions necessary for advancing economic development by both women and men. The number of initiatives were less than targeted, as we’d initially hoped that there would be additional initiatives in 2022. No action were undertaken with non-traditional partners as defined under indicator 2.C as focused was put on strenghtening relationship with private sector partners. These results are evidenced by the three documents attached here. UN Women used its strategic positioning and advocacy to increase gender equality and inclusive economic growth as well as provide necessary support for national efforts to enhance women's access to decision-making positions. More specifically: Bank of Palestine committed to reaching 50 per cent of women on the Board and launching an incentive package that includes financial services for women to enhance their business sustainability; Paltel Group committed to providing child-care services for employees; and the TNB committed to reaching 25 per cent of women in leadership positions. UN Women provided recommendations to policy makers and corporate signatories as UN Women engaged MoNE in a strategic partnership as part of the WEPs network initiative.