Wake Up Palestine – Political Violence Against Women
Sexual, verbal and physical harassments to even threats of rape and sexual assault.
Jerusalem24 – Wake Up Palestine – In recent weeks, Palestinians have been protesting the killing of political activist, Nizar Banat. Banat was an outspoken critic of the Palestinian National Authority (PA), his death sparked a wave of protests throughout the PA’s territories. The protests and demonstrations called for justice for Nizar, new Palestinian elections and the resignation of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. In turn, the PA’s security forces attacked the protesters.
Female protesters, in particular, were targeted with gender based violence. From sexual, verbal and physical harassments; to even threats of rape and sexual assault. In this episode of Wake Up Palestine, Mohammad Hamayel discusses political violence against women with the Director of Programs at the Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, Amal Abu Srur. The interview is attached below
https://soundcloud.com/24fmpalestine/wakeup-amal-abu-srour
“The people who can do the most to put an end to violence against women, are in fact men. We are the ones who can stop violence towards women. After all, we are the ones who cause it. Before you start saying, “I didn’t do anything” just know your silence did enough. You shouldn’t feel attacked, if you haven’t done any violence against women. But you need to realize that a lot of men have perpetrated violence, and when you say that you have nothing to do with it, you are helping to propagate that violence. So, when a woman confides in you about sexual harassment or assault or anything of the sort; know that she is trusting you with something very personal. That is why we need to believe survivors. No, they are not faking it. In the past 5 years, in the midst of the #metoo movement, only 2 stories of women claiming that they were either sexually harassed or domestically abused were either false or at best murky. But hundreds of women around the world, had bravely come out to say enough is enough. Be an ally. Stand for equality, equity and justice.”
