YWCA Palestine Amplifies Palestinian Women’s Voices at the 69th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

New York – March 2025

Once again, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Palestine has reaffirmed its leadership as a dynamic platform for empowering women and youth through its active participation in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. This year’s session was held under the theme: “Reviewing progress and challenges in implementing the Beijing+30 Platform for Action for gender equality and sustainable development”.

YWCA Delegation Representing Palestinian Women

This year, the YWCA Palestine delegation featured influential women leaders, including Ms. Rana Habayeb, Chair of the Board of YWCA Ramallah; Ms. Mayadah Tarazi Operations, Human Resources, and International Relations Manager; and Ms. Yasmeen Aladdin, an active youth member from YWCA Jerusalem representing the project under the Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability (YW4A) program.

Parallel Event Spotlight on the Reality of Palestinian Women

In Cooperation with YWCA Japan, YWCA Palestine organized a parallel event titled “Empowering Women, Promoting Equality,” attended by more than 60 representatives from YWCA movements worldwide and other international organizations. The session shed light on the challenges faced by Palestinian women living under occupation and the struggles of young women in advocating for their rights. The discussion emphasized that freedom, justice, and dignity are inseparable from the gender equality movement.

Ms. Rana Habayeb opened the session with a powerful speech, linking the fight for women’s rights to the broader Palestinian struggle for justice and freedom. Ms. Mayadah Tarazo then presented key advocacy tools utilized by YWCA Palestine and JAI, including “The Fabric of Our Lives” and the Olive Tree Campaign, as impactful examples of amplifying the Palestinian voice on the global stage.

Representing the Palestinian youth, Ms. Yasmeen Aladdin shared her personal experience of resilience and activism, emphasizing that young women are catalysts for change when given the space and support they need.

Global Solidarity and Effective Networking

The event carried a strong internationals solidarity component, as YWCA Japan representatives Ms. Maiko Hata, Imari Yasouno and Nanako Tojo reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Palestine through awareness and on-the-ground advocacy, stressing the importance of youth-led initiatives for just peace.

Additionally, Ms. Angie Handal from Tam – Women Media and Development in Palestine, presented a documentary showcasing economic initiatives led by Palestinian women, highlighting their ability to drive change in their communities despite immense challenges.

High-Level Meetings to Strengthen International Cooperation

Beyond the parallel event, the YWCA Palestine delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings with World YWCA and its member associations, as well as international organizations such as Global Ministries.

As part of the Palestinian delegation, led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, YWCA Palestine representatives also met with officials from UN Women and Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Riyad Mansour. These meetings aimed to strengthen collaboration, exchange expertise, and explore avenues to advance Palestinian women’s rights on the international stage.

A Clear Message: Palestine’s Voice is Heard on Global Platforms

Through this comprehensive engagement, YWCA Palestine reaffirmed its role as a vital part of the global YWCA movement, bridging the struggles of Palestinian women with global decision-making arenas. The association underscored that women’s empowerment in Palestine is not just a slogan—it is a daily practice that begins at the grassroots level and extends to international platforms.

This participation reflects a long-term strategic approach that YWCA Palestine has pursued for over a decade, linking local action with global advocacy and ensuring that women—especially young women—are at the forefront of shaping change and representing their own narratives on the international stage.