Occupied Palestinian Territory: Gender Equality - Social, Political and Economic in the OPT

Women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory suffer from high levels of poverty and unemployment, with women refugees particularly vulnerable.This Joint Programme works to promote Palestinian women's social, economic and political empowerment and reduce gender-based violence by encouraging their political voice, increasing their opportunities to obtain decent and productive work, and improving their access to protection and justice.

Six UN agencies work with partners from civil society, the private sector and governmental institutions, using a rights-based approach and operating on three strategic levels: grassroots, sub-central and central government.

Interventions include:

i) Formative research and lessons learned;

ii) Capacity building of key institutions and organizations that advocate for gender equality, deliver gender-sensitive services and monitor progress towards the MDGs; and

iii) An innovative mass media and communication campaign to raise popular support for gender equality. 

The programme also features skills training and counseling, increased access to credit, and women's leadership development.