Khalil Al Wazieer Street, Gaza, Palestine
Al Said Building
Gaza
Palestinian Territories
- Gender
- Human rights
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Research
WAC’s vision states that it is a women knowledge- based center playing an innovative and catalytic role in empowering women; and advocating women's rights and gender equality in the Palestinian sustainable development process. WAC's mission reflects that it is an independent and non-profit Palestinian NGO with the purpose of empowering women and advocating women’s rights and gender equality through capacity development, information and innovative research and advocacy programs. While implementing its strategy to fulfill its vision, WAC is guided by international human rights principles including empowerment and participation; equality and non-discrimination; and accountability to ensure justice and dignity for women. Strategic Goal # 1 (Long-term impact): Vulnerable women and girls (rights holders); particularly the victims and survivors of violence; in the Gaza Strip manifested economic advancement, resilience, agency and increasingly engaged in relations and networks. Strategic Goal # 2 (Long-term impact): Improved knowledge-led and informed decision making on women and gender issues. Strategic Goal # 3 (Long-term impact): Local and national duty bearers are increasingly accountable and take actions to advance women's human rights, gender equality and women's participation in political and public life.
WAC carries out all its core activities and projects within its 3 main programs:1) Empowering Women Program (EWP), which includes Training Unit, Small Business Unit, and Legal Clinic; 2) Information and Action Research Program (IRP), which includes: Research Unit and Management Information System; 3) Advocacy and Outreach Program (AOP), which includes: Advocacy Unit, Media Unit, and Video Unit. WAC's interventions include, but are not limited to awareness-raising workshops, professional/vocational training, ICT training, round table discussions, accountability sessions, dialogue meetings, financial aid/loans/grants for women, community initiatives, advocacy campaigns, business incubator, ICT incubator, temporary jobs/cash for work opportunities, videos/mobile films/documentaries, radio spots/episodes/sessions, Alghaidaa paper and online magazine, studies/researches on women's issues, analytical papers, position papers, psychosocial support, legal consultations and representation for vulnerable women and girls, factsheets, and good practices. WAC's current successful project include: “Promoting Digital Employment Opportunities for Young Women”, funded by Christian Aid “Empowering young women to translate ideas into jobs”, funded by DCA “Women, War, and Political Conflicts Palestinian Women in Gaza”, funded by KtK “Let’s Not Count Women, Let’s Make Women Count”, funded by KtK “Tale for Every House: Breaking Stereotypes and Enhancing Women's Image in Community”, funded by EU and GVC “Protection of Vulnerable Women and Girls Survivors of GBV in the Gaza Strip Through Coordinated and Multi-sectoral Responses”, funded by OCHA “Engaging Men and Boys in Promoting Gender Equality in Palestine”, funded by UNDEF “Reducing VAW/GBV against Marginalized Women and Girls in the Gaza Strip”, funded by Trocaire “Capacity Development of Actors within Justice Sector in the Gaza Strip”, funded by UNDP “Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access & Protection in Crisis Response (LEAP)”, funded by UN WOMEN “HAYA – Eliminating Violence Against Women”, funded by UN WOMEN
WAC ensures the delivery of its services and fulfillment of its goals through working closely with the community and key players/actors in the local community. WAC has been an active member of a score of local, regional and international bodies. Also, WAC coordinates with local universities and colleges as well as local and international NGOs and CBOs. WAC believes that effective coordination and cooperation with all stakeholders is the key to deliver the voices of the rights holders and marginalized groups to relevant duty-bearers as well as ensure their access to their rights and to services.
WAC can, through its networks and wide range pool of experts, facilitate the implementation of activities and delivery of outputs and outcomes of its programs, project, and partners’ programs and projects.
WAC is keen to continuously build new bridges and networks with organizations, especially international organizations as this would increase the visibility of our work and right holders among the international community, especially in light of the tight Israeli siege forced on Gaza which hinders all opportunities for capacity development and experience exchange for all NGOs in Gaza. Joining ALF Network would give us better knowledge on different means and mechanisms regarding supporting the role of women in politics and peace-building as well as other process, not to mention increasing women's representation in society. It would also allow us to learn about other women's organizations’ experiences and challenges in combating violations to women's human rights, their best practices, recovery and dialogue methodologies they used to overcome their challenges and achieve peace. Furthermore, it would enrich our data on other women's statuses, and provide us with new skills on formulating peace and security at conflict and post-conflict times so we would be more capable of playing a more effective role in our interventions. Moreover, we will be able to shed light on the Palestinian Women's struggles and mechanisms of survival and resilience during three Israeli aggressions, 12-year blockade, internal division, and displacement. We will also be able to deliver their voices to other women who underwent or still are undergoing the same challenges.