Though Ibtisam spends her nights in a shared hall at the shelter with very little privacy, it serves as a stark reminder of her solitude. The yearning to reunite with scattered family members, heightened by the loss of a loved one’s due to the war, inhabits her dreams. Communication barriers only deepen her sense of isolation, and Ibtisam confesses to often crying herself to sleep, longing for the embrace of her family and the comforting laughter of nieces and nephews.

Duha Shellah, 26 years old, is a Palestinian young doctor and medical journalist. She is the founder & CEO of the Researchist, a research community working to increase youth and women’s representation in research and science. In 2022, Duha was recognized as one of the world’s 21 outstanding young physicians by the Inter-Academy Partnership in Berlin, Germany. She is also an Eastern Mediterranean Region Delegate at World Federation of Public Health Associations (Young Council). Additionally, Duha is a coordinator at the Medical & Health Sciences division of the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology. Among other things, Duha is the Student Editor-in-Chief and Ambassador at the International Journal of Medical Students.

Ameera, 24, was born with a vision impairment. She lives in Ramallah with her siblings and parents. She has a degree in English Language and Literature and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Community Development. Ameera also works at EducAid, an international non-profit organization, where she helps people with disabilities overcome learning and employment challenges.

Israa Abu Dawod, 32, was born with a complete vision impairment. She lives with her parents and brother (also with vision impairment) in Hebron in the West Bank. Both of her parents have health issues and are unable to work. Israa holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language Teaching, and hosts a weekly radio programme on the rights of people with disabilities. Israa was among the 300 women who received cash for work opportunities by UN Women in Palestine. Generously supported by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), UN Women’s Cash for Work Programme offers economically vulnerable women, particularly those with disabilities, temporary work opportunities coupled with vocational trainings and protection services, to help them pursue more sustainable livelihood.

Rabab Nofel, 30, lives with her two-year-old son and husband in a rented apartment in Gaza. She was born with a disability that restricts her movement. To make a living and support her son, Rabab creates and sells perfumes from home, but her livelihood often gets disrupted, particularly during escalations of violence. Women with disabilities have limited opportunities in Gaza to build economic resilience. Only around four per cent of women with disabilities participate in the workforce.

Zahra Ahmed, 38, lives with a physical disability, and suffers from diabetes, pituitary tumours, and bowel cancer. She is a refugee living at Al Shatee refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. She had to drop out of school when her parents died. Zahra was among the women who received cash assistance and cash for work opportunity. She worked as an office helper at the Palestinian General Union of People with Disabilities from December 2021 to March 2022. These services were also paired with skill development trainings and gender-based violence (GBV) protection services including legal counselling, awareness-raising sessions, and psychosocial support; all provided by UN Women through the generous funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

UN Women-supported project aims to reinforce women’s leadership and participation in emergency response, including COVID-19, and equitable recovery. It is part of a larger programme on “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Palestine.” Funded by Norway, this project aims at supporting the Palestinian institutions and civil society in implementing a National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and increasing women’s participation in emergency response and post-conflict recovery.

In her first visit to UN Women Palestine Country Office, UN Women Director of the Programme Division, Mrs. Maria-Noel Vaeza reiterates UN Women's support to the Palestinian women and national partners to improve the status of Palestinian women and girls and the realization of their rights.

The Central Election Commission and UN Women entered in a new agreement to enhance Palestinian's women political participation.

More than 700 young Palestinians have received leadership and gender-sensitivity training and several have collectively drafted an alternative constitution that challenges the status quo.

In the offices of the General Union of Palestinian Women -a bastion for older-generation prominent women politicians- two young Palestinian women listen to the discussions, feeling a little shy in the midst of such veteran advocates. Amaal, 23, and Ruba, 26, are part of a younger generation of Palestinian women activists who say they are apprehensive and have often felt un-welcomed and even discouraged from participating in the current political scene. However, with enthusiasm sparkling in their eyes, they relate how they, as young women active in media and political spheres, could potentially bring change to the current political stalemate.