Integrating Gender Criteria in the Work of Local Government Units in Tulkarem Governorate
Tulkarem: Saturday, 17 December 2011 – In cooperation with the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), the Institute of Law (IoL) at Birzeit University launched a specialised training course on Integrating Gender Criteria in the Work of Local Government Units. The training event targets staff members of local government units (LGUs) in the governorate of Tulkarem.
As part of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women in the occupied Palestinian territory, six UN Agencies, namely UNDP/PAPP, UN-Women, ILO, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNRWA, are implementing a Joint Programme funded by the Government of Spain on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, covering the period 2009-2012. The Program aims to achieve three major Outcomes:
1. Reducing gender based violence and all form of violence against women and the girl child;
2. Increasing the representation of women’s and women’s issues in decision making bodies;
3. Advancing equal opportunities for women’s economic participation, especially women survivors of gender based violence.
With reference to output 1.3 “Capacity to provide refuge, security, and access to justice strengthened” and output 2.2, “Organize training and workshops to raise awareness on gender in local authorities and related NGOs”, UNDP seeks to:
1. Develop specialised curricula and training material and conduct training for judges, lawyers and prosecutors on gender issues and the provision of assistance to victims of violence and gender based violence.
2. Provide gender awareness training to local government staff in 15 districts to develop their capacity on mainstreaming gender in district development planning and service provision.
On behalf of the IoL, the Legal Researcher Mu’in Al-Barghouthi, and the Project Manager, launched the training course. In its programmes, the IoL pays special attention to enhancing the justice and local government sectors. In this context, the IoL works towards integrating gender issues within the work of judges, lawyers, prosecutors, LGU staff. Targeting a better public service delivery, the IoL seeks to incorporate gender criteria within concepts of planning and local development. In addition to building and promoting capacities of LGU staff, all forms of gender-based discrimination will be eliminated.
Mr. Iyad Al -Jallad, Chairman of the Tulkarem Municipality, took part in the inauguration ceremony. Highlighting significance of this training module, Mr. Al Jallad asserted that LGUs should be duly aware of gender issues. As they play a crucial role in the society, women should also take the initiative to participate effectively and promote their role in LGU functions.
Having welcomed participants, Mrs. Hanan Imseih, Director General of the MoLG Gender Unit, explained that outcomes of this training course will be taken into account in the process of reviewing the current status of gender in the MoLG operation and in local government-related policies and regulations. Mr. Raed Muqbel, Head of the Tulkarem Local Government Directorate, added that this training would address important aspects of LGU functions. Calling for an effective participation, Mr. Muqbel explained that the training course would focus on cultural concepts and themes that need be promoted and better conceived. To develop an informed approach and policy of local development, the concept of gender should be consolidated in the LGU operation.
This training is one of 10 training courses that target LGU staff in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In tandem with the training curriculum, a select number of professional trainers are providing training on several relevant topics. The training course is scheduled for five days, from 17 to 21 December 2011.
