Sara Winkowski reports from this virtual side event at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 70) about Palestinian and Israeli women leading peace.
The program aims to empower young Palestinian and Israeli women on both sides of the Green Line, including those living in Gaza.
One speaker from Gaza described the dire conditions that persist in the region, including starvation, lack of electricity, and scarce access to water. She recounted her personal motivation for joining peace-building work, explaining that her father had been imprisoned at age fifteen for killing a settler. After his release in a prisoner exchange, he underwent a profound transformation and helped establish a group composed of both Palestinian and Israeli members. Although the group does not seek political control, it is united by a shared desire to live in peace.
Another young woman from Gaza Strip shared her experience of being displaced six times. Determined to support children facing similar trauma, she founded a community group focused on assisting young people. Participation in the group has been limited to women, reflecting the unique leadership role women continue to play in community-based resilience and peace-support efforts.
