We Must Protect the Future for Palestinian Refugee Girls

Displaced children in a UN-run school in the Shujaiyeh neighbourhood of Gaza.Credit: Khaled Alashqar/IPSBy Elizabeth CampbellWASHINGTON DC, Mar 9 2018 (IPS)As people across the globe marked International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, the safe and secure education and possibilities for the future of millions of young girls and women who are Palestinian refugees across the Middle East remained in danger. Unfortunately, a recent decision by the United States to significantly reduce expected financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has put at risk vital programs that advance gender equality and address gender-based violence.As part of its UN mandate to provide education, health care, relief and social services, microfinance, and emergency assistance to millions of refugees across Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, UNRWA educates 525,000 children in over 700 schools in the region.For decades, girls have represented half of UNRWA students. But with the salaries of over 30,000 teachers, health professionals, social workers and other vital UNRWA staff now under threat, the education of the next generation of women in the region is at risk, as is their hope for a more positive future.Palestinian refugee girls grow up in bleak conditions, often surrounded by poverty and violence, but their schools provide safe havens and the opportunity to dream about – and prepare for – independent f...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Aid Armed Conflicts Crime & Justice Education Featured Headlines Health Human Rights IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Middle East & North Africa Migration & Refugees TerraViva United Nations Source Type: news