Birzeit University and Ministry of Women’s Affairs sign memorandum of cooperation

President Dr. Beshara Doumani signed a memorandum of cooperation with Minister of Women’s Affairs Dr. Amal Hamad on Thursday, November 24, 2022 to mainstream gender issues and human rights.

Attending the meeting were Dr. Ghassan Khatib, Birzeit University’s vice president for development and communication; Dr. Rana Khatib, vice president for planning and development; Dr. Amir Khalil, director of grants and contracts; Dr. Iyad Yousef, director of the master’s program in physical education; Dr. Bihan Al-Qaimari, faculty member at the Department of Education; and Dr. Rinad Abdallah, faculty member at the Department of Law. The delegation from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs included Amin Asi, director of the Planning and Policy Department; Yosef Odeh, general director of the Council of Ministers; Basem Zamil, director of the minister’s office; Razan Baidah, director of the gender unit; Ilham Sami, general director of the media unit; Ashraf Hamdan, director of the Training Department; Rola Hanna, the ministry’s protocol officer; and Sona Nassar, legal adviser at the ministry.

The memorandum of cooperation aims to enhance the relationship between the ministry and the university to serve the joint strategic goals of the institutions, discuss the areas of coordination, implement their strategies through research-oriented programs directed to student and staff at the university and the ministry, develop joint programs to promote human rights and gender issues and limit violence in Palestinian society.

Dr. Doumani stressed the university’s commitment to women’s issues through academic programs and training courses offered by the university as part of its social responsibility.

Dr. Hamad highlighted the strong relationship between the ministry and Birzeit University and asserted that the ministry seeks to enhance its political commitment to the inclusion of gender, democracy and human rights in the policies, regulations and programs of governmental bodies. The ministry also aims to further coordination with national organizations, promote networks and mechanisms that support women, pressure the enactment of policies and laws to accommodate with gender issues and build international networks with feminist and human rights organizations to exchange their experiences on the implementation of international conventions.