Minister of Women's Affairs, Mona Al-Khalili, stressed that any support or silence regarding the crimes of the occupation will lead to more victims, especially women and children. This came during a meeting with the Minister, representative of Switzerland, Ms. Anne-Lys-Catene Henin, and the person responsible for the Comprehensive Economic Development Program and Gender Focal Point, Ms. Tania Abdullah, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah, in the presence of Undersecretary Daoud Al-Deek.

The Minister reviewed the difficult reality that the Palestinian people are suffering from in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem, and the effects of the aggression and genocide carried out by the occupying state against our people in the Strip, focusing on the repercussions of the Israeli aggression in all its forms on women, especially female prisoners in the occupation prisons who suffer from difficult conditions such as harassment. Sexual violence, violence, and deprivation of the most basic rights, in addition to not knowing the fate of more than one female prisoner in the Gaza Strip. 

She added that we are working to achieve all women's rights, but some of these efforts are obstructed due to the oppressive occupation measures, so that it has become one of our priorities to work and direct all efforts for an obvious right, which is the right to life. 

She noted that through the participation of the State of Palestine in the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, there were consultations with countries and organizations to work on submitting a proposed law to the United Nations “Women under Occupation,” and countries must support the direction of this law. 

In another context, she noted that many issues had been raised with the relevant ministries regarding many important issues, especially restricting exceptions to the age of marriage, inheritance, the labor law and its suitability to women’s rights, the family protection law, and other issues. 

The Minister briefed the Ambassador on the Ministry's directions and roles, especially at the level of policy-making and working to bridge the gaps that hinder the achievement of gender equality and justice, with all the policies, legislation and programs this requires for various governmental and non-governmental sectors.

She stressed that the government pays great attention and gives priority to relief, protection and resilience programs in all Palestinian territories, especially in the Gaza Strip, whose women suffer from a serious and unprecedented economic, social and health reality.

In turn, Henin explained that Switzerland provided support to the Gaza Strip through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees (UNRWA), and that it is following with interest the issue of female prisoners in occupation prisons through a direct relationship with the Red Cross and its periodic reports. 

She pointed out the importance of International Resolution 1325 and that Switzerland is interested in women's issues. 

She expressed her readiness to cooperate with the Ministry of Women's Affairs in the areas of protecting women and improving their conditions.