Press Release: Over 23,000 women and girls to benefit from a new safe space in Jericho

Jericho: Through the HAYA Joint Programme, funded by the Government of Canada, UN-Habitat in partnership with Jericho Municipality and the Ministry of Local Government, inaugurated a new safe, inclusive and accessible public space in the heart of Jericho city -The Ein Al Sultan Canal. 

The new space represents a significant investment in Jericho’s public infrastructure, offering residents and visitors a welcoming environment to connect with nature, and enjoying the flow of the water canal, and the different outdoor activities. In welcoming remarks Mr. Abdel Karim Sadr, Jericho Mayor, confirmed “Jericho Municipality is working towards reviving the city with an ambitious, new vision and for that reason we are proud of the Canal project, as it is not only a beautiful landscape, but a space for innovation and creativity. We aim to achieve the goals of sustainable development through investing in green spaces and reinforcing the role of our citizens”.
The new design features of the canal that was developed by the UN-Habitat team in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government, and in a fully participatory process with the local community- including women, girls, children and nearby residents of the canal- offer a thoughtful space, catering for the needs and aspirations of all community members. In his speech H.E Raed Muqbel, Deputy Minister of Local Government stated: “Our efforts at the Ministry of Local Government are directed towards ensuring the quality of life and the rights of our citizens including women and girls in all Palestinian cities to benefit from different services and facilities through the implementation of the Public Space Policy for Local Government Units 2024”
The design responds to the natural and environmental conditions in Jericho as well as its residents by including a shaded and nicely designed seating area, baby-care facilities and interactive zones for children, while maintaining the natural slopes, trees, and the flow of water in addition to ensuring the installation of proper lighting making it a versatile space fostering safety and comfort during the day and night times. The design of the canal also celebrates the cultural and historical heritage of Jericho through integrating elements of the traditional Jericho mosaic, designed and implemented by a local organization. 
Since August 2023, the first phase of the project has brought remarkable transformation to Ein Al Sultan Canal considering its location near the archaeological Ein Al Sultan Area that was recently recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Canal has been revitalized as a safe and welcoming space serving not only the residents of Jericho but also the city visitors. Driven with this vision, the second phase of the rehabilitation was dedicated to foster greater community engagement and provide a continuous well-designed connection between the existing public spaces ensuring the implementation of the Public Space Policy for Local Government Units in Palestine. 

While the speech of H.E. Mr. Graham Dattels, Representative of Canada to the Palestinian Authority, stressed: “When we support the construction and improvement of inclusive public spaces like this one, we’re building something that all citizens can enjoy. A space like this allows women and girls to access the public sphere and improves the quality of their lives and those of their families. Palestinians can be very proud to be leading on making public spaces more inclusive for all people, especially for women, girls, the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. We hope that this public space will inspire others across Palestinian cities in the future.”
Through the development of gender responsive policies and strategies, UN-Habitat continues to strive to strengthen the capacity of national and local governments to promote safe, inclusive, accessible, and gender-based violence-free public spaces. Dr. Zeyad El Shakra, Head of Palestine Office, UN-Habitat confirmed: “UN-Habitat considers this project as a transformative initiative, both on urban and institutional scales, as it creates a safe, inclusive space for all and strengthens the city’s public space network. Beyond its impact on the landscape of the Canal, the project underlines a significant institutional milestone, reflecting the results of our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and the Jericho Municipality. Moreover, we believe that the HAYA Joint Programme approach succeeded in fostering a shift in government attitudes and approaches toward the creation and management of public spaces. This innovative, evidence-based model prioritizes comprehensive urban design, community participation, focusing on physical, social, and institutional aspects to create safe and inclusive public spaces that contribute to the well-being and livelihood of the Palestinian community without leaving anyone behind.”

The Ein Al Sultan Canal promotes equity and inclusiveness for over 45,000 women and girls, as well as children and people with disabilities both residents and visitors to Jericho city. Environmental and social factors, as well as continuous operation and maintenance, were also taken into consideration throughout the design process to ensure the long-term sustainability and longevity of the public space.

For media queries, please contact: 
Ms. Hazam Tahbub, Joint Programme Manager via hazam.tahbub@unwomen.org +970592919118 
About the HAYA Joint Programme  

The HAYA Joint Programme aims to eliminate violence against women and girls. HAYA is funded by the Government of Canada and jointly implemented by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Social Development as well as other ministries and civil society organizations.