attended by 40 persons Guest speakers Mrs.
Jamila Saidam, PLC member.
Mr.
Salah Hashish, Judge at Khan Yunis Court.
Mrs.
Najla, Mhisin, the social consultant at the Woman Health Center, al-Buraij Refugee Camp.
Summary of issues raised by the public
Participants raised the following main points: Violence against women is increasing in the Gaza Strip.
There must be a greater to fight it as it threatens the family.
The Palestinian Authority is obliged to fight the sources of violence against women, primarily poverty, unemployment, and ignorance.
More work is needed to raise men's and women's awareness of domestic violence and its effects on the Palestinian community.
Family problems are usually settled in court at the expense of women at courts.
The new generations should not be raised under the assumption that women are inferior.
This needs essential legal reform and changes in the educational goals in the Palestinian society.
The PLC is obliged to change the â€کFamily Law, in order to improve the status of women.
Summary of answers given by the guest speakers
Guest speakers discussed the following points: There are many reasons behind violence against women.
They must de accurately defined to include all kinds of violence: physical, verbal, emotional, and psychological.
The Israeli occupation is one of the main sources of violence against women in the Palestinian community because it affects the behavior of men through constant humiliation and dehumanization.
Poverty is a direct cause of aggression against women affecting family stability.
The PA has to cope with this fact by fighting unemployment and poverty.
Some customs play a destructive role in ranking Palestinian women.
These must be widely discussed and updated or abolished.
Islam provides women with both rights and protections.
The problem is that most of the women are unaware of what these involve.
Although men are generally responsible for the family's material needs they must learn to involve women in their decision-making.
There must be more women's rights education in order to prevent aggression against women.
Such activities could provide the foundation for long-term social and legal changes.