The Birzeit University Center for Development Studies holds a Workshop on Disabled Women and Justice

On 12 June 2013, the Birzeit University Center for Development Studies (CDS) held a workshop entitled "Disabled Women and their Access to Justice: challenges and obstacles on both formal and informal levels." This workshop aimed to discuss the results of a research study titled: “Access for Women with Disabilities to Formal Justice Institutions,” conducted by the CDS - a joint study on the reality of women with disabilities in the occupied Palestinian territory and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and setting a framework of Intervention strategies.
In her opening address, the CDS Director Dr. Samia Butmeh emphasized the importance of the study as it sheds light on an issue that has not been addressed in the past, highlighting the most important issues that face women with disabilities in order to access justice. She added: "We hope that this study will enable women to efficiently access justice."
The project coordinator and supervisor Mr. Ayman Abdel-Majid presented the results of the study, saying "The cultural traditions - family, society and institutions- live and interact to form a framework for women and girls with disabilities that reflects on their social and family life.”
Later, the director of the Family Protection Unit at the Palestinian Civil Police Wafaa’ Muammar spoke about the Unit’s role dealing with violence, as the Unit’s strategy will be launched during the next month, thanking CDS for their positive role in developing the strategy.
The director of court of appeal - Public Prosecution Dareen Salhiyah talked about their relationship with the Palestinian Civil Police. She added that there is a legal information gap when dealing with the issues of women with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of networking and building relationships with the concerned institutions to overcome obstacles and challenges.
The judge at the Supreme Judicial Council Falasteen Abu Rumi addressed the importance and role of the judiciary in courts, pointing to the importance of the community-based institutions, whether educational or media institutions, in defending the rights of disabled women.
The workshop was attended by 75 representatives of government institutions, civil organization and those concerned institutions, in addition to activists and legal experts.