Introduction

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 between men and women. In order to achieve this aim, WCLAC develops programs and projects conducive to crystallizing a clear Palestinian women’s agenda whose terms of reference are derived from international human rights standards. WCLAC’s five units work together to implement and follow-up those programs and projects.

The mission of the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling is to address the causes and consequences of gender-based violence within the community as well as the gender-specific effects of the Israeli occupation. To this end, WCLAC acts not only to reverse historical negligence, the negative cultural legacy, and social outlook towards Palestinian women within the community, but also, to address the needs of women victimized by Israel’s violent military actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). WCLAC provides counselling and raising awareness programs, offers legal and social support and training, proposes bills and law amendments, and participates in the organization of advocacy and pressure campaigns locally and internationally on behalf of Palestinian women and the community. WCLAC also develops the capacity of our professional staff and builds partnerships with organizations and bodies involved in defending women’s rights both locally and worldwide.

Part II: Contribution of the organisation to the work of the United Nations

(i) Participation in the work of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies and/or major conferences and other United Nations meetings

(1) 31 January 2005, United Nations Headquarters, New York. Report submitted to the pre-sessional working group of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) by WCLAC titled : “NGO alternative report on Israel’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the Occupied Territories (OPT)”

(2) 31 January 2005, United Nations Headquarters, New York. The Director of WCLAC attended and orally presented issues concerning Palestinian women to, and answered questions from, the CEDAW pre-sessional working group.

(3) 5 July 2005, United Nations Headquarters, New York. The Director of WCLAC and two staff members orally presented the issues concerning Palestinian women to the CEDAW Committee’s main review of Israel.

(4) International Women’s Commission (IWC), established July 2005, in co-operation with United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) to work on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in the Middle East. WCLAC’s director is a founding member of IWC and as member of steering committee, attends three or four meetings every year.

(5) 31 October 2007, United Nations Headquarters, New York. Presentation by the Director of WCLAC, as member of International Women’s Commission, to a meeting organised by UNIFEM, with the United Nations Secretary General in New York on women and security

(6) 31 October 2007,United Nations Headquarters, New York. WCLAC’s director attended as representative of the International Women’s Commission, a meeting organised by UNIFEM with the Assistant Secretary-General

Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.

(ii) Cooperation with United Nations bodies and/or specialised agencies in the field and/or at Headquarters.
(1) Project in co-operation with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide education and training to adolescents and young people about health rights, 2006-2008 (ongoing).
(2) Project in co-operation with UNIFEM to empower and build the capacity of women’s grassroots organisations in Jerusalem, 2007-2008 (ongoing).
(3) Project in co-operation with UNIFEM to empower and build the capacity of women’s grassroots organisations in the West Bank, 2007-2008 (ongoing).
(4) Project in collaboration with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), “Iktidar”, to promote legal awareness and literacy through the development of a website providing women with access to information about their legal rights, 2007-2008 (ongoing).
(5) Ongoing attendance by Director of WCLAC at local monthly meetings of International Women’s Commission, established in 2005 and convened by UNIFEM.
(6) WCLAC’s representative attends at annual meeting for partners of UNFPA, 2006-2008. Representative gives presentation on the implementation and progress of WCLAC’s program on adolescent health each year.
(7) Co-operation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) through participation in the regular monthly meetings of the Protection Cluster Working Group for the OPT.
(8) Co-operation with United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the OPT (UNOCHA) through amongst other things, attendance at the Displacement Working Group meetings chaired by UNOCHA to ensure a gender dimension to discussions and advocacy activities.

(iii) Initiatives undertaken in support of internationally agreed development goals, in particular, the Millennium Development Goals.

The Organisation contributed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the OPT. Major actions undertaken were the following:

Goal 3. Gender Equality

The second strategic objective of the organisation is to promote positive attitudes towards women and gender issues and to change negative attitudes in society. ACTIONS:
1. Major component of training program with new graduates to educate and train on gender issues and gender based violence. 200 new graduates trained between 2006-2008
2. Training provided to 5 groups of volunteers (120 people) in five districts of the OPT, from civil society on gender equality, gender based violence and legal protection.
3. Capacity building with two grass roots women’s organisation, providing training, workshops and supervision on awareness on gender issues.

Goal 5. Improve maternal health.

ACTIONS:
1. Implemented program about reproductive health in co-operation with five institutions including UNRWA and the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Trained 76 health professionals in a two stage program to first train and then monitor and support the work, from 2005-2008
2. Creation of manual on reproductive health. 1000 copies of manual distributed to UNRWA, the Ministry of Health and others local health providers.

(iv) Activities in support of Global Principles.

WCLAC organises and participates in events for International Women’s Day on 8 March every year. The organisation also organises events and campaigns every year in November as part of the Global campaign to combat violence against women. Many of these activities are organised in conjunction with, or have the participation of UNIFEM.