Gaza – November 2020
The Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza launched the 4th Women’s Film Carnival via Zoom and live Facebook streaming, with participation from writers, intellectuals, and representatives of local and international civil society organizations. The event was part of the project “Engaging Men and Boys in Promoting Gender Justice in Palestine”, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
Ms. Amal Syam, Director of WAC, said the carnival is part of the annual campaign against violence towards women, under the slogan “Let’s Unite to End Violence Against Women”. She emphasized WAC’s rejection of all forms of violence against women and girls and called for the enactment of a Family Protection from Violence Law to ensure accountability for perpetrators and safeguard family structure in Palestinian society.
Syam added that this year’s carnival features 15 narrative and documentary films highlighting issues faced by women in Palestinian society, especially in Gaza, such as husbands’ migration, polygamy, forced marriage, deprivation of inheritance, violence and discrimination, and the impact of patriarchal culture on women’s opportunities. Five films specifically addressed parenting roles and gender issues to promote equality and reduce gender-based violence.
Director Saud Mahna praised the quality of the films, stating that Gaza is one of the key places for producing creative cinema. Video coordinator E’timad Washah emphasized the importance of supporting Palestinian women filmmakers and highlighted that the films reflect the social, political, economic, and health realities of women amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The carnival showcased fifteen films, including Photo by Khaled Khamash, Al-Ma’oun by Mervat Mahmoud, When the Moon Disappears by Abeer Al-Balbisi, Call Us by Fathi Omar, Watan by Afaf Syam, Try by Sahar Labad, Nap by Rima Mahmoud, Opportunity by Mahmoud Abu Dawood, and Mother of Daughters by Rami Hammad, in addition to five films focusing on parenting and gender roles.