WCLAC was established in Jerusalem in 1991 as a Palestinian independent non-governmental non-profit organization with the aim of contributing to the building of a democratic Palestinian society based on principles of equality and social justice

On 8 August 2009, WCLAC representatives presented evidence in Amman to the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. WCLAC gave oral evidence to the Committee and also submitted a report focusing on Palestinian women and how Israeli practices and policies impact on their human rights. The issues covered included freedom of movement, the right to adequate housing and violence against women committed by soldiers and settlers and the impunity for those responsible.