Opis organizacije

The YWCA of Palestine is a national membership-based women's organization registered locally as a non-governmental association with the Palestinian Authority, as well as an affiliate member of World YWCA movement, which has a special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was first initiated in 1893 by informal groups of Christian women who were meeting in Jaffa and Jerusalem as YWCA groups, and consequently established officially in Jerusalem in 1918.

The YWCA’s vision is that Women and especially young women are decision-makers, agents of change and leaders in a society where equality, freedom, tolerance, justice, dignity and peace are realized. The Young Women’s Christian Association of Palestine empowers women and youth, to demand, exercise and protect their political, economic, and social rights.

The YWCA of Palestine works on two levels: firstly to support the local YWCA associations in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem to work with their respective constituencies, target groups and networks most effectively and efficiently, and to enhance their sustainability; and secondly with national organizations, networks, and coalitions to promote and advocate for human rights in national and international platforms toward building a just and sustainable peace in Palestine as well as impact policies to become more gender sensitized .

Throughout the years, the YWCA has developed a wide range of programs and projects with the aim of empowering women and girls and improving their social, economic, political status and participation through enhancing their accessibility to resources and markets, raising their awareness around their rights, and empowering them to demand their social, economic and political rights, and creating platforms where women can engage in policy dialogue and policy formation to create more gender sensitive and equitable regulatory frameworks. The work and values of the YWCA has given it a special identity as a community development organization that is widely respected, both among Palestinians and internationally.