Tuesday 8 March marks International Woman’s Day.
It is an occasion to remind women of their rights, to enhance activities aimed at strengthening their dignity, and to ensure their effective participation in public life.
    This international occasion comes at a time when Palestinian women are confronting the most severe economic, social and political conditions they have faced since the start of the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in 1967.
Palestinian women are bearing the brunt of difficult conditions, as has been the case for many years.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) directly target Palestinian women and their families, killing and detaining many women.
The IOF also deprive the Palestinian women of their rights to freedom of movement and travel, to obtain medical treatment, and to reach hospitals.
The Israeli forces systematically violate women's rights, particularly their political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights.
  Al Mezan Center for Human Rights takes this opportunity to remind of the effect of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian women.
Since September 2000, the IOF killed 222 women and 193 girls.
About 88,326 women lost their houses due to the Israeli destruction.
1,217 of the homes that were demolished by the IOF in Gaza were owned by women.
Moreover, 5,348 women were affected directly by the demolition of agricultural lands that had been razed by IOF.
About 472 women were the owners of the lands.
In addition, about 1,667 women in the Gaza Strip have lost their husbands during the same period.
  The IOF also arrested about 820 women in Israeli prisons during this period.
 The detention of tens of thousands of men in Israeli prisons has increased the suffering of Palestinian daughters, wives or mothers.
  At a time when Palestinian women remain steadfast in the face of continued Israeli aggression, they are also locked in a fierce struggle to realize their human right to equality within Palestinian society, and to ensure political representation appropriate to their numbers and role in society.
  Al Mezan also reminds people of the suffering of Palestinian women resulting from violence against women.
Palestinian society has remained a largely male dominated society and  marginalizes women.
Verbal and physical abuse of women is common in Palestinian society.
In addition, Palestinian women have paid the price in political conflicts and the so-called honor-related crimes.
According to Al Mezan, about 105 women have been killed and 219 women have been injured as a result of internal acts violence in Gaza Strip since 2003; including inter-factional violence.
    Al Mezan congratulates women around the world and especially Palestinian women.
Al Mezan pays tribute to the role of Palestinian women in the national struggle for freedom and independence, and their own struggle to realize their rights, which has yielded results.
Al Mezan reiterates its support for the struggle of women and calls on women to continue their demands for equality.
Al Mezan will continue its efforts to combat any discrimination against women especially on issues such as their right to work, education, or enjoyment of public freedom.
In doing so, Al Mezan will continue to support women’s organizations’ capacities in Gaza.
  Al Mezan asserts that women's success in achieving their rights and enhancing their equal position with men forms an important indicator to the rule of justice and equality in any society.
    Al Mezan calls upon the international community to provide protection for Palestinian women who are subject to ethnic discrimination committed by the IOF represented in the form of the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and access to land and vital services in the West Bank.
International community must take tangible steps to ensure Palestinian self-determination and statehood, where Palestinians can enjoy development, equality and rights.
  Al Mezan also calls on the Ramallah and Gaza governments to protect women's right and to ensure respect for their rights all the time.
Al Mezan also calls on Palestinian political parties and civil society organizations to support efforts for women’s rights and to involve women in their structure; including at the level of leadership.
  End