Culture and Free Thought Association El Bureij Women’s Health Center

1. Culture and Free Thought Association El Bureij Women’s Health Center Gender-based Violence Brussels, Belgium June 20-23, 2006

2. Der El Balah City

3. Women's Health Statistics 2005 • Prevalence rate of anemia among pregnant women is 34.8% • 42.1% of new pregnant women visit at high risk pregnancy in UNRWA clinics • Increased percentage of early marriage to reach 49% • 3665 women widowed or lost a son from Israel invasion *Palestinian Ministry of Health Annual Report, 2004

4. The Center: Women Working for Women

5. Agencies Involved in the Project

6. Objectives of the Center Long-Term Objectives: • To contribute to the empowerment of Palestinian women • To attain high standards of reproductive health Intermediate Objectives: • To improve the physical well-being of Palestinian women and families • To promote the concept and practice of responsible family planning • To induce men to support the concept of the empowerment of women • To increase the awareness of community on various issues related RH and gender relations

7. Statistical Update on Center Services in 2005 • Women’s Clinical Health Care: 5,100 men and women • Legal Counseling:281 women and men • Social Assistance: 555 women • Psychological Counseling: 211 women • Male Counseling:100 men • Aerobics and Physical Education: 408 women • Community Education: 2,603 men and women participated in 243 workshops • Outreach program:1,423 home visits • Training: ToT for five center staff on GBV

8. Women's Health: a statistical glimpse 2005* • Decrease of antenatal visits from 95.6% to 85% • 80% from women did not receive any post-natal health care • Only 5.5% of mothers were currently working. • 61 Cases of births at the checkpoint • 36 newborn deaths at checkpoint • Domestic violence casesincreased *Palestinian Ministry of Health Annual Report, 2004

9. Picture of homes destroyed after invasion of Israeli Military

10. UN Resolution 13.25 on Women, Peace and Security • Advocacy on 13.25 for legislative change • Services to support increased case load • Application of UN resolution on Palestinian women further to 13.25 • Identification of appropriate interventions at service and community levels • Increased networking with other NGOs (coalitions)

11. Impact of the Crisison GBV • Gender based violence didn’t one of the priority on policy maker. • Level of interventions, service and legislative changes not up to prevalence level

12. Potential Consequences of the Crisison GBV • Increased GBV due to increased vulnerability of women • Increased prevalence of STIs, including HIV/AIDS • Unsafe sex increased either through • coercive measures • assault/rape • loss of self-esteem/self-worth • destructive patterns of sexual behavior • Lack of access to appropriate care • damage to facilities • blockades • lack of shortage of supplies, including contraceptives • Shortage of qualified staff

13. Invasion of El Bureij Camp

15. A Case: Dealing with GBV at the Center • Clinical Care • Legal Advice • Psychosocial Counseling • Social Work • Male Counseling • Center: • Internal referral • Treatment • Preventive care • The Community: • Community support team • Local Reconciliation Committee • External Referral: • MoH • Other NGOs • Police • Court • Economic Empowerment • Vocational training • Skills

16. Ensure women’s SRH remains a priority on the national agenda through advocacy/networking Build networks, especially among NGOs, to compensate for reduced service access (e.g. Coalition, Jabalia and Bureij) Ensure staff have appropriate gender and RH training and qualifications to deal holistically (e.g. AIDOS training) Build links with the community for support, including establishment of support groups for women and men Provide support to centers with good track records What to Do? Potential Coping Strategies