Workshop on Violence Against Women and Its Psychological and Social Impacts

The Ilham Al-Khair Association for the Care of Cancer Patients in Palestine, as part of the Refugee Women's Voice Project implemented by the Not to Forget Association and supported by the African Women's Development Fund, organized a workshop on violence against women and its psychological and social impacts at the Ilham Al-Khair Association headquarters in Balata Camp.

Samir Amira, the president of the Ilham Al-Khair Association, welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of these meetings in enhancing the role of women in society. Representatives from the association and several active women in the camp participated in the workshop. The workshop facilitator stressed the significance of women's roles in society and the rejection of all forms of violence against women, as well as the need to raise awareness among women about their societal roles. The facilitator also listened to the participants' contributions regarding the marginalization women suffer from and their denied rights to act as partners with men in building society, along with the compounded suffering of women with the illness.

The discussion also covered the importance of adapting spaces for female and male cancer patients and their families, as this is among their most basic legitimate rights, enabling them to be more active in their community.

The workshop addressed the need to overcome the culture of shame when discussing women's issues and the violence they face, including domestic violence, and emphasized the importance of resorting to the law and system to secure these women's rights.

The causes and factors leading to violence, and reciprocal violence, were discussed, including the negative perception of women and their roles in society, and the various political, economic, and social pressures that drive individuals to practice violence against their families, particularly women.

Solutions and treatments were proposed, including the activation of family dialogue and working towards providing a decent living for families.

The workshop also included the distribution of flowers and gifts by the president of the Ilham Al-Khair Association to the participants, which brought joy, happiness, and optimism to their hearts.

Recommendations were made to hold similar workshops.