The emergency virtual meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Women’s Development Organization in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which was called by the Arab Republic of Egypt to discuss the situation of Palestinian women and the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, issued a set of important recommendations.
Those recommendations most focused on the formation of Islamic/Arab pressure to demand and push the international community, especially the Council Security, to carry out its responsibilities by ensuring the immediate and complete Israeli ceasefire, stopping the bloodshed of Palestinians, as well as ensuring unhindered access to adequate and continuous humanitarian aid through safe corridors.
The meeting also recommended coordination with the mechanisms and institutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to ensure the integration of the needs of Palestinian women, and to encourage member states of the Women’s Development Organization and the strategic partners of financial institutions, regional and international development organizations, and civil society to contribute to organizing urgent relief convoys for the needs of Palestinian women and girls, while directing economic, social, psychological, and relief assistance programs to the most affected groups, including women, children and the elderly.
Among the recommendations is to ensure that the blatant violations against women and children in Gaza are mentioned in all activities/events of the Women’s Development Organization until there is a ceasefire and the end of the occupation so that we do not forget and become accustomed to the scene, and to establish a neutral Arab/Islamic/United Nations committee to document violations of international human rights law and International humanitarian law against Palestinian women and girls and ensuring international accountability for the perpetrators of these violations.
The recommendations also include assessing the repercussions of the recent aggression on women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories and their needs by organizing a regional conference at the headquarters of the Women’s Development Organization and providing the necessary support to UN Women and any international or regional organization that aims to provide the necessary assistance to Palestinian women and girls.
Moreover, the meeting suggested opening channels of communication with international and human rights organizations to follow up on the aggression and its effects, carry out their legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards the Palestinian issue, and form a documentation platform in coordination with member states to monitor the assistance that has been provided or will be provided to Palestinian women in general and women in the Gaza Strip in particular, and circulate it to all Areas (hospitals, shelters, local centers, etc.) to facilitate women’s access to assistance
It was further suggested to request the Executive Director of the Women’s Development Organization to document the Palestinian narrative, in consultation with the Minister of Women’s Affairs in Palestine, to mobilize regional and international media, especially through the main social media platforms, to organize and promote the Palestinian narrative, and to coordinate between the Women’s Development Organization and the Arab Women’s Committee, the League of Arab States, and the Arab Women’s Organization to unify all efforts.
The meeting also recommended asking the Executive Director of the Women’s Development Organization to draw the attention of women’s organizations around the world regarding the situation of Palestinian women, their needs, demands, and violations of their rights to mobilize the support of these organizations to call for an immediate ceasefire.
With the consensus of the Ministerial Council, the President of the Council assigned the Executive Secretariat of the Women’s Development Organization to develop and take the necessary measures to implement the recommendations of the emergency session of the Council and submit a report thereon to the Council.
On his part, the Palestinian Minister spoke briefly to thank all delegations for their support and valuable recommendations and agreed with the recommendations that were approved and presented by the President as a summary of the meeting.
The President of the National Council for Women, Dr. Maya Morsi, concluded the meeting by expressing her appreciation to all Member States who participated in the emergency meeting and contributed to the discussions to send a message of solidarity to Palestinian women and girls.
Morsi voiced her appreciation to the secretariat of the Women’s Development Organization for preparing for the meeting. She also wished the best to all members of the Women’s Development Organization and expressed her hope that the new year would bring peace and prosperity to their people.
