We are excited to announce a new project! In partnership with Interpeace in Palestine, Mustakbalna, we launch a programme for the benefit of young women to participate in processes of community security. The year long programme will take place in Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Tubas and Hebron in the West Bank. In each of the communities 20 young women between the age of 15 and 25 are asked to engage in the programme (two groups in Jenin), which aims to strengthen their leadership skills and confidence. Furthermore they will learn how to use those skills along with innovative tools to engage decision-makers and community members on community security. The programme aims to close the gap between young women and decision-makers, so that they can advocate for the security needs of young women throughout Palestine.
The project is an implementation of UNSCR 1325, a landmark resolution of the UN on women, peace and security. The resolution addresses especially the vulnerability of women in refugee and conflict situations. Our partner in this project, Interpeace, is involved in longterm peace-building work in Palestine. Recently they invested in the Jenin civil peace accord, which emerged from consultations facilitated by its peace-building team. Interpeace is now seeking to build on its successful work in Jenin and encourage community-building processes to enable young women across the West Bank to participate in decision-making, in line with UNSCR 1325.
The Freedom Theatre will bring a unique programme of activities in performing arts and multimedia, including theatre and drama, filmmaking and photography, to this project. We will hold workshops for our participants to strengthen self- and community-awareness and identity. The workshops will allow young women to discover their own potential and confidence, and increase skills in communication and leadership. Currently we are in the midst of starting the programme, by discussing with the participants (120 young women in total) the needs and priorities. After these brainstorm sessions, the first theatre and drama workshops will start over summer. The whole project will run until May 2019, when the activities will be concluded by the publication of a research paper (by Interpeace) and a national conference to share the creative outcome of the programme. The outcome will include photo exhibitions, films and street theatre performance.
We are very excited to be working with Mustakbalna and look forward to an educative year for young women in Palestine.
This programme is made possible by the generous funding of Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) from Sweden.
