The Association of Women Committees for Social Work (AWCSW) is a leading Palestinian non-profit nongovernmental Women's rights- organization, that is mainly involved in empowering Palestinian women and girls, aiming for gender equality and the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women and girls'. Through empowering and mobilizing women’s participation in the struggle against the Israeli occupation, the contribution to the development processes, the promotion of woman’s political, economic and civic rights and the expansion of women’s access to justice through improving psychological well-being among women and girls, and combating gender-based violence.
AWCSW was founded in June 1981 by a group of Palestinian women activists, and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior Affairs since 2001. Since its inception in 1981, AWCSW has left no efforts in its quest to serve the Palestinian community in general and women and children in particular, answering the urgent nation calls and advocating in fierce- at various hard conditions-for the elevation of Palestinian women to take and maintain its position within our community.
AWCSW has focused for many years at promoting the social, educational, economical and political development of Palestinian women, and spend greater efforts in raising women's awarness of their legal rights in order to promote their participation in the decision-making processes, protect their rights and to encourage development. It has launched thousands of projects, which played a prominent role in offering services to Palestinian women and contributed in securing many working opportunities for them who were in great need for assistance, including the establishment of Kindergartens, nurseries, children liabraries and vocational centers, and a range of other income-generating project.
Mission
Our mission is to attain gender-equality in a democratic Palestinian society, to which end we focus our efforts on promoting the social, educational, economical, and political development of Palestinian women and girl’s, including advocating for women’s rights, eliminating discrimination against women including GBV, advancing women’s capacities and leadership skills, promoting their participation in the decisions that affect their lives, and amplifying their voices for peace and security at the national and global levels.
Vision
AWCSW strive to create a future in which all Palestinian women will be viewed and treated equally as men, in all aspects of life; civil, political, economic, social and cultural. Our vision is that all Palestinian women become self-sustaining and remain well recognized in their community, well respected and truly empowered. We will also seeks to continue our role as advocate of women's rights, promoter of women capacities and driving force of social change.
Core Values
1. We are committed to promote gender equality and empower women and girls, and to removing any barriers that prevent full participation of women and girls in the public and political life.
2. We believe in full and inclusive participation by all and that every person, man, women or community has the right and responsibility to contribute their talents, skills and resources to the work we do, for and with them.
3. We are committed to promote full and equal access to social services, education, legal and health-care services, economic opportunities and decent work, for all Palestinians, specially marginalized women and children, they need our support to recognize their rights, achieve their basic needs; and ensure their participation in the elaboration and implementation of policies that effect their development, with full respect for their cultures, traditions and social norms.
4. We believe that community participation is an essential part of the process of good local governance, and community development. Therefore we consider participatory approaches as an critical instruments of our Association.
5. We are committed to work with marginalized communities, improve their lives, alleviate their suffering and develop a vision for change that will make a meaningful difference in their lives.
6.We consider partnership as one of our key organizing principle, we are, therefore, committed to developing, maintaining and nurturing partnerships, including alliance and linkages- with institutions and individuals who identify our vision and mission.
