In Palestine, almost half - 49 percent or 2.76m - of the population are women, approximately 1.63m of whom live in the West Bank and 1.13m in the Gaza strip. More than 20 percent - 1.19m - of all those living in both regions are 18-29 years old; representing 22 percent of the population in the West Bank and 21 percent in Gaza.

Young females represent a significant segment of the Palestinian population, yet this demographic remains relatively powerless in public life. The Palestinian government's Public Policy Document 2021-2023 acknowledged the need for youth empowerment and designated 2020 as the Year of Youth. Several initiatives were announced to support youth empowerment through policy interventions, including ‘enhancing youth participation in public life and decision-making’, but these remained as unfulfilled promises and have not been put into practice to date.

In the third quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate in Palestine was 25 per cent. The unemployment among women in the labour force was 40 percent, compared to 20 per cent for men. For young adults aged 19-29 with a diploma or higher, unemployment was 48 per cent, with 61 percent for females and 34 per cent for males. The labour force male participation was 72 per cent, while female participation was just 19 per cent. These statistics highlight one of the lowest rates of female labour market participation in the region and the world, despite high educational attainment among Palestinian women. The average participation rate for Arab women is 28 per cent, while the global average is 69 per cent.

In analysing the challenges faced by young females in Palestine, it is evident that societal norms play a significant role. One of the main pressures faced by Palestinian women over time, and still today is the unfair social environment. Despite entering the workforce, women struggle to fulfil multiple roles, including their potential for development and creativity. This is primarily because women are often overwhelmed by household responsibilities, which, according to social norms, are considered solely their responsibility. Few men share these burdens. Additionally, women must manage their work duties, which often restricts their opportunities for creativity, professional development, job continuity, balance, mental health and self-care.

For example, women face discrimination in job promotions, encountering more obstacles and difficulties in career advancement than men due to prevailing customs and stereotypes. Women are only considered suitable for certain jobs such as teaching, nursing and other service-oriented roles. Furthermore, women are often perceived as unable to balance multiple roles. Their reproductive function is often seen as their primary responsibility, making them prioritise home, children and husbands over their professional duties. Despite women's ability to balance these roles, this is often due to a supportive and gender-sensitive work environment. For instance, providing daycare for children can alleviate worries, while offering remote work opportunities allows women to work from home, especially after childbirth, enabling them to spend adequate time with their newborns while continuing their careers. Challenges caused by the absence of this support forces some working women to reconsider their aspirations for leadership positions, instead opting for roles with reduced responsibilities.

While some women have successfully overcome these obstacles and achieved personal and professional success, many others have not. Societal and familial preferences often favour traditional roles for women, discouraging them from pursuing leadership positions. Palestinian women and girls continue to face discrimination within their society, shaped by traditional patriarchal norms and inequitable power dynamics. Despite Palestine's stated commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), progress in aligning national legislation and policies with CEDAW has been suspended.

Moreover, gender-based violence remains prevalent, further limiting women's and girls' participation in all sectors. While all women and girls face gender discrimination, it is crucial to recognise that women in Palestine do not constitute a homogeneous group. Their experiences are influenced by intersecting identities, including socioeconomic status, education level and their residency status within an increasingly fragmented society. This diversity means that some women encounter additional barriers.

Various forms of physical, emotional and financial gender-based abuse are prevalent, including domestic violence. Numerous women work full-time both at home and outside, yet they lack the right to control their own earnings while 77 per cent of females receive less than the minimum wage. Others are forced by their families to work in female-only workplaces. Many women remain silent and accept mistreatment in order to maintain some source of income.

When it comes to youth activism, the percentage of young people, encompassing both genders, occupying decision-making roles within civil society organisations remains below one per cent. This disparity can be attributed to specific challenges faced by these organisations, primarily the inadequacy of their democratic structures and the absence of a youth-oriented agenda.

Prospective solutions
Investing in young women is crucial for several reasons. First, they are in a phase of exploring the world, learning rapidly and forming their identities. This makes it an ideal time to instil leadership qualities and skills. When young women are empowered, they become more confident and braver, unafraid to communicate effectively and advocate for their rights, not only benefiting individuals but also contributing to a more equitable and progressive society.

Non-profit organisations consistently work to engage young women and men in their projects, with a particular focus on empowering young women to combat violence and raise awareness of their rights. Furthermore, numerous projects and groups are dedicated to establishing youth councils and groups led by young people, fostering their understanding of their needs and facilitating efforts to address them. However, ensuring continuity and sustainability of these efforts requires a comprehensive approach involving all influential stakeholders. This includes the implementation of effective policy-making decisions that truly empower all young people within society.

When considering the key factors that influence young females, it is essential to focus on the significance of family and community. A female's formative environment has a profound impact on her thoughts, aspirations and behaviours, even her dreams and ambitions. Family values and societal norms play pivotal roles in shaping young women’s perspectives and opportunities. Family of origin, schools and policies are vital in the development of young female leaders. Families should nurture their daughters by teaching them principles that foster confidence, self-love and resilience. Encouraging open communication within the family also helps young women express themselves and understand their rights

Creating future female leaders
There are crucial steps we can do to engender more chances for young women to be leaders. Building a supportive environment for young women's abilities requires significant effort and dedication. Just as a flower needs the right conditions to bloom, young women need safe, supportive, adaptive and flexible circumstances to thrive as leaders. This concept applies to all levels of their surroundings, starting from families and schools to the broader community.

Promoting gender equality through policies that advocate for mandatory representation of young females and women in leadership positions across all sectors can foster a more equitable and balanced work environment.

Providing leadership training and workshops tailored for young females can help them develop the necessary skills and confidence. In addition to establishing mentorship programmes that connect young women with experienced female leaders can provide guidance, support and inspiration. Empowering young women in Palestine by developing their leadership skills is critical for societal transformation. By acknowledging the challenges they face and investing in their growth, we can create a future where women are equally represented in leadership positions across all sectors. Moreover, the collaborative efforts of families, schools, and supportive policies will pave the way for a more inclusive and progressive society.

Policies and laws must be sensitive to the rights of young women, ensuring they have equal opportunities to access leadership roles. This includes enforcing gender equality in education and employment, providing support for young female-inspired initiatives and creating a safe environment for women to lead without fear of discrimination or harassment

Finally, one of the most significant actions to support young women at all levels, from decision-making to playing a meaningful and valued role in community, organisations and family, is to allow them to articulate their thoughts, desires and needs. Many of these settings are not safe spaces where young women can express themselves freely and safely. Although some organisations have created special spaces for young women and men to discuss their issues and needs, much more is required. Rights are activated through practice, and if young women cannot exercise this right everywhere, these spaces will not be as effective as needed.

This week we are delighted to publish the first of a number of posts by Areen Eideh, the blog’s regional correspondent for Arab World. Upcoming posts by Areen will examine issues concerning health rights for women and girls with disabilities as well as education in Palestine.

The GCHRP Editorial Team 

Cite as: Eideh, Areen. "Gender discrimination against young women in Palestine", GC Human Rights Preparedness, 14 November 2024, https://gchumanrights.org/gc-preparedness/preparedness-gender/article-detail/gender-discrimination-against-young-women-in-palestine.html