المركز ينفذ ورشة عمل بعنوان “المشاركة السياسية للشباب و النساء في الهيئات المحلية”

Within the "A Step Towards Change" project

The Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, in partnership with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) office and in cooperation with Al-Nuseirat Municipality, held a workshop for municipal staff entitled "Political participation of young people and women in local authorities".
The workshop was opened by Eng. Mohammed Al-Mughairi, director of the mayor's office and of the internal oversight unit, who stressed the importance of networking and dialogue between the Centre and the municipality in order to strengthen the participation of young people and the representation of women in local authorities.
Mr. Abdel Moneim Al-Tahrawi, projects manager at the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, spoke about the outcome of President Mahmoud Abbas's signing of the August 2015 agreements, when 16 conventions were signed, including the CEDAW convention.
He noted that the level of women's participation in local authorities is very low, between 20 and 30 per cent, and that the Palestinian elections law sets a quota of 20 per cent for women, with no quota for young people, who represent a third of the electorate.
He noted that more than 42 per cent of the total electorate are women, yet their representation is weak. In another context, Mr. Abdel Moneim referred to the Municipal Development and Lending Fund, which supports municipalities and links that support to their compliance with a set of criteria, one of which is the extent of participation by young people and women.
In another intervention, Mr. Abdel Fattah Al-Shalabi, representative of the local youth council, spoke about the council's beginnings in late 2012, when a local youth council was established in Al-Nuseirat with funding from Norwegian People's Aid and in cooperation with the Widad Association, through networking and cooperation with Al-Nuseirat Municipality.
In 2013 the local youth council was adopted by UNDP and was restructured in 2014. Women have played a role in these councils: the ratio of young women to young men is 6:7, that is nearly half. He spoke about the clear role of women in management and implementation, noting that the treasurer is a colleague with a disability.
Sessions were held between youth groups and other centres to form an advisory council for Al-Nuseirat, but pressure was applied to make the advisory council the same as the youth groups.
He concluded by noting that Palestinian law has created a supportive framework for all municipalities, that Al-Nuseirat Municipality was the first to complete a youth council and is a pioneer in this, while there are four such councils in the West Bank.
In conclusion, those present noted the following:
The need to provide and intensify awareness campaigns for Palestinian young people.
Young people have energy that needs to be guided in the right direction.
Funding is a problem that must be overcome.