[Press Release]: Sawasya Strengthens Gender-Responsive Planning in Palestinian Justice Institutions
Date:
Ramallah, 28 January 2026 | The Sawasya Joint Programme, through UN Women, concluded its second specialized capacity-building workshop aimed at raising awareness and strengthening the capacities of planning departments and gender units within justice institutions to effectively integrate gender considerations into strategic and operational plans. This workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to promote gender-responsive planning and ensure equitable access to justice for all members of society.
The three-day workshop brought together 25 staff members from justice sector institutions, including planning and gender units from the Palestinian Police, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Justice.
The workshop responds to the growing need to develop justice sector plans that are more inclusive and gender-responsive, reflecting institutional commitments to mainstreaming the equality and non-discrimination principles across policies, procedures, and planning frameworks at both strategic and operational levels. The workshop commenced with strengthening conceptual understanding of gender as a foundational entry point for equitable planning, before advancing to analytical tools and practical application.
The sessions enhanced participants’ understanding of key gender concepts and their practical application in planning processes, including issues related to historical discrimination, gender-based violence, and the impact of prevailing social roles and norms. Discussions also addressed concepts of toxic and positive masculinities and their relevance to women’s rights and access to justice. Participants were equipped with gender gap analysis tools and supported in developing gender-responsive objectives and indicators, while also examining the impact of policies and plans on women’s and vulnerable groups’ access to justice, alongside relevant international experiences and good practices.
The workshop adopted an interactive methodology, including pre- and post-training assessments to measure knowledge and awareness gains, an initial review of institutional strategic plans, and the identification of key gender-related gaps. Practical exercises were conducted to analyze existing plans and policies and to develop actionable models, in addition to establishing joint follow-up and monitoring mechanisms between planning departments and gender units to ensure continuity beyond the workshop.
The workshop is expected to support partner institutions in developing updated and integrated plans that systematically address gender considerations, while strengthening national capacities to effectively apply analytical tools. Implementation of the workshop outcomes will be monitored over the coming three to six months to ensure sustainability of results and to further enhance coordination between planning and gender units across justice sector institutions.
For more information, please contact:
Fidaa Maaytah
Communications Coordinator, Sawasya Joint Programme
Fida.maaytah@undp.org | +972 593020717