GAZA WOMEN PROTEST IN FRONT OF UNRWA HEADQUARTERS

Gaza, 19 Jumadil Awwal 1436/10 March 2015 (MINA)–  Dozens of women took part in a sit-in protest on Monday in front of UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza to demand that the international community accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza.

The protest was organized by the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) and also called for an end to the eight-year Israeli blockade on the coastal territory.

Women held placards calling on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and pressure Israel to allow reconstruction material into Gaza, as well as calling on Fatah and Hamas to end their disunity, Ma’an News Agency by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Large swathes of the Gaza Strip remain in ruin following last summer’s 50-day war between Israel and Hamas, which left 100,000 Gazans homeless.

One activist at the demonstration, Andalib Adwan, stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable in front of international courts.

The demonstrators also called for the equal rights of Palestinian women. Adwan added: “Palestinian women have the right to obtain all their legal rights.”

“We demand social justice, and to end all forms of discrimination regarding women’s social role.”

The West Bank saw a number of demonstrations last week as part of International Women’s Day, which is officially celebrated on March 8.

More than 30 Palestinians, mostly women, were injured when Israeli troops forcibly dispersed a peaceful march at Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem on Friday. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)