Gaza – Palestine
Amal Syam, Director General of the Women’s Affairs Center (WAC) in Gaza, participated as a key speaker in an international webinar organized following the launch of Oxfam’s briefing paper, “Arming Injustice with Impunity,” as part of the #StopArmingInjustice campaign in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The webinar brought together Palestinian women leaders, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives to discuss the limitations of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in addressing the realities experienced by Palestinian women living under occupation and ongoing conflict.
Highlighting the Reality of Palestinian Women
During the discussion, Amal Syam shed light on the challenges facing Palestinian women, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where years of blockade, conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises have deepened gender inequalities and increased protection risks.
She emphasized that Palestinian women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of conflict, while simultaneously playing a critical role in supporting their families, communities, and local recovery efforts.
Linking Gender Justice to Accountability
The webinar explored the need to strengthen international accountability mechanisms and to ensure that commitments to gender equality are connected to broader efforts aimed at protecting civilians, promoting human rights, and addressing the consequences of militarization and occupation.
Participants discussed how existing international frameworks can more effectively respond to the realities faced by women in conflict settings and support their rights, safety, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
Voices from Gaza and the West Bank
The event featured perspectives from women leaders and experts representing organizations working across Gaza and the West Bank.
Through case studies and field experiences, speakers highlighted the gendered impact of conflict and displacement on women and girls, including increased economic hardship, protection concerns, and barriers to accessing essential services.
Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Times of Crisis
Amal Syam stressed the importance of ensuring that Palestinian women’s voices remain central in international discussions concerning peace, security, humanitarian response, and recovery.
She reaffirmed the role of women-led organizations in documenting violations, supporting affected communities, and advocating for policies that promote justice, equality, and human dignity.
Advancing Feminist Leadership and Solidarity
The webinar concluded with calls for stronger international solidarity with Palestinian women and greater support for women-led organizations working under increasingly difficult circumstances.
Participants emphasized the importance of advancing feminist leadership, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that the rights and experiences of Palestinian women are fully reflected within international peace and security frameworks.
