Open Day for Women, Peace and Security Dialogue
Palestine Promoting Women’s Participation in Peace and Security

لتنزيل النسخة العربية: يوم مفتوح عن المرأة والسلام والأمن

Ramallah-Gaza: UN Women Palestine, in cooperation with the General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW) and the Women’s Civil Coalition for the Implementation of Resolution 1325, held an Open Day on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) titled “Breaking Silence, Building Peace: Palestinian Women Leading the Path to Justice.” Which this year was held in a hybrid mode, with a live audience in Ramallah and in Gaza with participants joining online. 

With support from the Government of Norway, the Open Day gathered women leaders from across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, along with representatives of the United Nations, Palestinian governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and international experts. And served as a platform to strengthen women’s leadership and engagement in the WPS agenda in Palestine, through exchanging experiences with national and international experts and women’s movements. Moreover, the Open Day is considered one of the signature events that reflects on the implementation of UN Security Resolution 1325 in Palestine, 25 years after its adoption, this year. 

On her opening remarks Ms. Caitlin Chittenden, Deputy Special Representative, UN Women Palestine Office, said” As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, we must ensure that women are at every table, not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders. Throughout Palestine, with a particular focus on Gaza, women and girl’s voices must shape humanitarian response and early recovery efforts; this means going beyond merely consulting women and girls, but rather including them to lead the design, implementation and governance of reconstruction efforts."

H.E Ms. Mona AlKhalili said: “ This dialogue today is taking place while the Palestinian people including women, girls and children are living in unbearable situation as a result of the ongoing attacks and escalations by the occupation, which not only affecting our daily lives, but will for sure have a lasting effect  on the whole Palestinian community. We believe that the 1325 agenda and it’s relation to protection, accountability and participation are considered to be as a top priority within our national plan with the aim of empowering women and girls. We see women’s role as a main pillar in peacebuilding process and it’s of high importance for us as it’s a joint responsibility to provide the needed support and protection for all women”. 

Driven with the vision of painting a vivid picture of women’s contribution for peace and statehood in Palestine; the Open Day included a session that presented a forward-looking feminist political vision for peace and the needed measures to increase women’s meaningful participation and inclusion in peace negotiations.

A significant part of the Open Day was dedicated to the discussion about women’s meaningful participation in decision-making and leadership, gender-responsive governance and institutional reform, protection and accountability mechanisms in addition to access to services and resources during war time. The roundtable talks resulted in formulating recommendations to strengthen women’s role in early recovery, reconstruction, and long-term peacebuilding processes.

Additionally, and in accordance to this year’s theme that calls for justice, power and bringing women’s perspectives to the political talks; the Open Day addressed the experiences of international women activists who have led transformative movements for self-determination, resilience, and political participation in contexts of war, and occupation. Through their lived experiences; Palestinian women leaders and activists gained insights into strategies for mobilization, advocacy, and sustaining hope under pressure. 

Mr. Jaco Cilliers, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, OIC-UNSCO, confirmed: "Palestinian women are not passive witnesses to conflict. They are leading movements for justice, dignity, and human rights. Their leadership embodies the very spirit of Resolution 1325: transforming pain into power, and silence into a call for peace. The United Nations remains firmly committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda as a transformative framework for inclusive, just and sustainable peace."

Sessions connected participants in Ramallah and Gaza through live exchanges, fostering collective reflection and solidarity across regions. While discussions emphasized the importance of integrating gender perspectives into humanitarian response and reconstruction, ensuring that Palestinian women are central to peace and state-building processes. 

Through this annual dialogue, UN Women Palestine reaffirmed its continued commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering Palestinian women and girls, and amplifying their voices in decision-making at both the local and international levels.