Pathways
Local Governments between building the Islamic Nation and Women's Empowerment
2007 - 2011
Islah Jad's research examined the role of the newly elected local councils in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, elected in 2005-2006. The Islamic Resistance Movement - HAMAS - participated in this election for the first time and was supported by large numbers of women.
Islah's research aimed to explore whether local governments in general, and those controlled by Islamists in particular can provide a constituency for women's empowerment.
Resources For This Project
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Local Power and Women's Empowerment in a Conflict Context: Palestinian Women Contesting Power in Chaos
Palestinian women’s political participation is marked by the Israeli occupation and a volatile political situation. This chapter argues that the political chaos following the Oslo Agreement of 1993 has led to civil society fragmentation and the marginalisation of certain groups. However, women’s traditional involvement within the Palestinian national movement led to their assumption that society would adopt a non-gender biased perspective during elections. …
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Palestinian Women Contesting Power In Chaos
Palestinian women's political participation is marked by the Israeli occupation and a volatile political situation. This article argues that the political chaos following the Oslo Agreement of 1993 has led to civil society fragmentation and the marginalisation of certain groups. However, women's traditional involvement within the Palestinian national movement led to their assumption that society would adopt a non-gender biased perspective during elections. Disappointing results led to the formation of a coalition to campaign for a quota system. …