The Palestinian Women’s Rights in the West Bank program is a volunteer initiative that allows international visitors to visit Palestine and gain exclusive insight into women’s rights in the West Bank. Located in the vibrant city of Hebron, the project provides participants with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations, and engage in educational and cultural activities.
Aimed at educating international participants about the current power dynamics of women in Palestinian society, you will get involved with volunteering with Palestinian women by promoting their rights and empowering them in all spheres of life, including the family, the workplace, and politics, all whilst ensuring they are safe from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
Altogether, this volunteer program will enable you to gain awareness about gender equality in Hebron (one of the most conservative cities in Palestine) whilst also allowing you to study and practice Arabic, meet other internationals, and experience Palestinian daily life.
Table of Contents
Current Women’s Rights Situation in Palestine
In general, there is a great need for women’s advocacy organizations and female empowerment programs in the West Bank and Palestine, as women in Palestinian society often face oppression on two fronts: from the patriarchal hierarchies in their society and by Israeli forces where the mistreatment of female detainees is usually gender-based.
The oppression from Israeli forces is widespread in Hebron because part of the city is under complete Israeli military control, and Palestinians in these areas must pass through checkpoints where they are regularly subjected to violence and harassment. Furthermore, as a result of the ongoing occupation, Palestinian women often lack access to adequate health services that they require in many areas of Palestine. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues that Palestinian women face.
Palestinian Women: Breadwinners and Homemakers
As a result of the occupation, an unfortunate yet common reality for Palestinian men and male youth is imprisonment. According to a former prime Minister of Palestine, 40% of the male population has had to serve in prison at least once in their lifetime since 1967. This percentage is increasing. Consequently, this often necessitates that the female members of the family (wives, sisters, daughters, etc.) are responsible for running the household, making decisions, and supporting themselves and their families financially.
This is another reason why educating and empowering women is vital so they may have the tools and resources to manage these responsibilities and run society.
There are several areas where the rights of Palestinian women need to be advocated for, with a key focal point being equality and protection in the home as, according to a 2011 survey by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, “35 percent of married women in Gaza had been exposed to physical violence by their husband within the past year.” More recently, data from 2019 finds that 58.2% of women (15-64 years) in Palestine who are currently married or were ever married were exposed to violence by their husbands “at least once” and that the most common type of violence is psychological violence. Additionally, women and girls with disabilities are at a greater risk of violence and face extra challenges. Conflict communities have higher rates of domestic violence due to psychological trauma sustained from war.
Role of Women in Palestinian society
Yet, there are many areas in which the role of women in Palestinian society is very progressive, especially in comparison to many neighboring Arab states and other Middle Eastern countries. For example, Palestine has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Additionally, women’s education is highly valued across Palestine, with many going on to further their studies at universities and become successful in law, politics, academia, business, arts, sports, etc.
Whilst you are here, you will meet some of these local women and learn more about their way of life, their obstacles, and their achievements despite any hardships.
Who Can Participate?
We are committed to equal opportunities. Study in Palestine does not discriminate on any grounds based on nationality, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other.
We have a long tradition of accepting individuals from all over the world, and volunteers have come from many walks of life, backgrounds, and identities. Everyone is invited to engage!
Interning with the Women’s Rights in Palestine Program
This internship program runs year-round and offers a valuable summer opportunity for university students. It provides a unique experience for anyone interested in women’s civil, human, and legal rights in the West Bank, promoting Palestinian women’s independence. If you wish to travel and gain insight into local culture and the impacts of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian women, this project is for you!
If you seek internships and volunteer opportunities in women’s organizations across Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, or Israel, this program suits you. Hebron’s proximity to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jaffa, and other cities makes exploring easy. Volunteers often arrange to visit these destinations during their days off.
Summer Volunteer and Internship Programs
Interning with the Women’s Rights in Palestine Program over the summer offers university students practical experience in Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. This program is ideal for those interested in women’s rights and looking to volunteer while earning university credit. At Study in Palestine, we collaborate with the Palestinian Ministry of Education to provide academic credit for enrolled students. Join the internship to gain valuable experience, travel, and progress toward your degree this summer.
Program details and Additional Activities in Palestine
Volunteers in the Women’s Rights Program based in Hebron, West Bank, will receive the following benefits. More details are given below. These include:
- Arabic lessons are three hours weekly with native speakers in the Palestinian dialect, and MSA is offered if desired. Our teachers are well-qualified and attentive, each with a solid educational background, ready and willing to assist you.
- Visits to Palestinian women’s rights organizations in Hebron
- Meetings with women’s rights activists, non-governmental organizations, women’s rights workers, professors, and Palestinian university students and holding talks for Palestinian girls and women to raise awareness about their rights
- Holding workshops with Palestinian boys and men about gender equality
- Organizing activities for Palestinian women, e.g., discussions and workshops about the roles and depictions of women in conventional and social media
- There are many opportunities to meet Palestinian women in Hebron
- Exposure to everyday life in Hebron, as well as Palestinian culture and society, including the chance to experience traditional Palestinian dishes and desserts
- Accommodation is arranged through a Palestinian host family (for women) or our all-male dormitory
- Palestinian cultural nights with entertainment and activities
- Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with the benefit of a native point of view, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho
- The option to visit nearby cities as well as cities located in Israel, including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth
- And finally, a certificate upon completion.
Training in Palestinian women’s empowerment
The Palestinian Women’s Rights Internship Program is based in Hebron, Palestine, and invites volunteers to engage with the broader community. We conduct workshops on women’s empowerment and raise awareness about women’s rights in Palestine and globally.
During your stay, you’ll visit various women’s rights organizations in the West Bank to learn about their efforts, explore future cooperation, and gain insights into Hebron’s situation.
Our program offers opportunities to build relationships with women in the West Bank and observe their interactions with men and other women. You’ll also engage with men on issues regarding women’s rights and equality both locally and globally.
Arabic Culture and Language Immersion
Every week, international volunteers and interns receive three hours of Arabic instruction from a skilled teacher. These classes help you connect with the individuals you work with and show respect for their culture. You will have ample opportunities to practice Arabic daily in Palestine, as our instructors teach both Modern Standard and Colloquial Arabic.
Our staff will also guide participants in the Women’s Rights Internship in Palestine program on trips to significant historical and political sites in Hebron, including the Old City, nearby villages, and local refugee camps to enhance understanding of Palestine’s political situation.
Live with a Palestinian Host Family
Volunteers and interns will learn about a politically divisive region while receiving support during their stay. You may also have a host family to enhance your experience.
Staying with a host family in Hebron allows for immersion in Palestinian culture through conversations with the friendly local community and learning Arabic. You’ll gain insight into Palestinian home life, participate in family activities, attend cultural events, and experience daily life in Hebron.
Read About Tara’s Experience with the Program
“During my time in the West Bank, I met lots of people, and they were kind enough to share their experiences with me. The women, in particular, had many stories about how they had overcome the problem of inadequate women’s rights and the difficulties of life under Israeli Occupation. It was often heartbreaking to hear about the lack of women’s rights over the years, but I was amazed by their strength and ingenuity. [Over my time in Hebron], I met talented women who created beautiful embroidered clothing and accessories, combined studying at university with working part-time, and some who successfully provided for their household financially and practically.
“Additionally, many of the women I had met had received a good education, including doctors, teachers, journalists, and other professionals. I also had the opportunity to speak to a lady who had seen several of her sons imprisoned by the Israeli forces, with one of them currently under administrative detention. Although this is very difficult for her, she is resolute and determined to help obtain his release and help her son’s wife and their growing family. As a result of the detainments, she has had many arduous journeys to visit her sons during their imprisonment, often traveling for 24 hours for a 30-minute visit.
Safety of Our Volunteers and Interns
Palestine is unstable, with volatile situations and ongoing unrest. Yet, millions of tourists visit the West Bank, including cities like Hebron and Bethlehem, without safety issues. Palestinians are generally welcoming, understanding that politics differ from their daily lives.
Since 2011, we’ve hosted over 1,000 international visitors who lived and worked in Hebron for extended periods, facing no threats or safety concerns.
Located in the heart of Hebron under Palestinian authority, our host families and male dorms are nearby.
Other Volunteering Opportunities
Apart from the Palestinian Women’s Rights Program, we provide many other volunteer programs in the West Bank, demonstrating the vast array of opportunities available to us at Study in Palestine. These include:
| Internship in Palestine Program (1-3 months) | Palestinian Laws & Legal Practices Internship | |
| The Palestine and Israel in Context internship Program | Human Rights Program in West Bank | |
| Women’s Rights in Palestine internship Program | Medicine & Healthcare in the West Bank | |
| Teach English in the West Bank internship | Volunteer & Study Arabic in Palestine | |
| Volunteering with Palestinian Children in the West Bank | Volunteer in Local Schools in Palestine | |
| Teach for Palestine Program (2-3 Months) | Volunteer in a Journalism Program in Palestine | |
Volunteers can also combine programs to gain more experience and broaden their understanding of multiple issues. For example, they can volunteer in the Women’s Rights Program for two weeks and then with the Community Development Project the following week.
Practical Information
| Location of Program | Hebron, West Bank |
| Program Fees | 250 Euro a week |
| Age | 18+ |
| Minimum Duration | One week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 weeks |
| Start/End Dates | Year-round |
| Application Deadline | No deadline/flexible timeframe |
| Program Language | English |
| Days Off | Two days a week (Fri-Sat) |
| Areas of Interest | Women’s Rights in Palestine Palestinian Women’s empowerment Women’s organizations in Hebron |
| Number of Volunteers/Interns | 2-5 |
| University Credit | Available |
| Nearest Airports | Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel Eilat Ramon Airport in Israel Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan |
| Program’s Reviews | Reviews & ratings (95%) on Gooverseas.com Reviews & ratings (91%) on Goabroad.com Participants’ video testimonials |
Program fees
The Palestine program costs €250 weekly. Fees cover pre-departure support, accommodation, breakfast, volunteer coordination, three hours of Arabic lessons, and outings in Hebron. Volunteers can combine programs for broader experience, such as two weeks in the Women’s Rights Program followed by the Community Development Project.
Application Period and Program Dates
At Study in Palestine, we are looking for international volunteers and interns year-round (spring, summer, fall, and winter). There is no fixed application period, and program dates are flexible. You can stay anywhere between one and thirteen weeks.
Daily schedule for Volunteers
Volunteering with us at Study In Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. You will be expected to work approximately 25-30 hours each week, from around 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with two days off: Friday and another day of your choosing. We are closed on Fridays.
International volunteers start the day every morning with breakfast with our staff and the directors. It typically consists of bread, olive oil and za’atar, hummus, labneh, falafel, cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper – all essentials in a traditional Palestinian morning meal.
How to Get to Palestine?
The most convenient method to reach us at Study In Palestine is to fly to:
- Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv Airport in Israel. It takes roughly two and a half hours to get there by shared cab from the airport to Hebron.
Alternatively:
- I flew to Eilat airport in the south of Israel, then took a shuttle or bus to Jerusalem and finally to Hebron. The travel time, however, was between six and seven hours.
- You can fly to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, and then cross the border into Palestine. This option, however, takes more time and is more expensive.
Traveling to and from Hebron, West Bank
All Study in Palestine volunteers travel to and from Hebron in single or shared taxis that pass through checkpoints.
You will find all the necessary information about how to get to Hebron and Study in Palestine with relevant contact information in these four articles:
- How to fly to Palestine
- How to get to Hebron, Palestine
- Planning your trip to Palestine
- How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel to Hebron
How Do I Get a Visa to Visit Palestine?
The majority of our volunteers in Palestine receive a three-month tourist visa when arriving at Israeli airports or crossing from Jordan to the West Bank.
Americans, Canadians, and most Europeans do not require a visa to enter Palestine. However, you will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization ETA-IL. Upon arrival at the Israeli Airports in Tel Aviv or Eilat, you will be granted a tourist visa valid for 90 days. This is sufficient for participating in Palestine’s study programs and traveling around the country and Israel.
Traveling to Palestine On Your Own?
No worries, you’ve come to the right place!
You will meet many participants from overseas who are also involved in our volunteer abroad programs, university students, and a community of people with various interests. Palestinians in Hebron, in particular, love to meet new people from different cultures and exchange ideas and experiences.
For everyone here, it is like belonging to one family, and there are always activities to do together in Hebron’s fantastic social scene.
Criteria for Participants in the Palestinian Women’s Rights Program:
Requirements:
- To be 18+
- The ability to communicate in English
- The willingness to meet Palestinians
- An eagerness to learn
But you do not need:
- Travel experience
- Teaching experience or an educational degree
- To be a native speaker of Arabic
- An ability to speak Arabic in general
Summary: Join Our Family in Palestine
The Palestinian Women’s Rights program offers international participants a chance to learn about women’s rights in Palestine and the challenges faced by women due to Israeli occupation. Participants engage with the local community, especially women, through visits to relevant organizations in Hebron, presentations, meetings with local women, and living with a Palestinian host family (for female participants). They can also facilitate workshops for local girls and women.
This program is open to anyone interested in women’s rights in Palestine, providing opportunities to learn from and empower Palestinian women. Our summer program suits university students seeking internship credit. Other participants can join at any time throughout the year.
How to Apply?
Please email us your interest at Info@ecpalestine.org, with “The Palestinian Women’s Rights” as the subject line. We will then send you the application form. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Find us online
Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
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