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11-Mar-2004

UN demands improvements in Palestinian women's living conditions

by: Sam Mwangi

Israel/Palestine: The United Nation Special Representative for Gaza and the West Bank has urged all parties to the Israel/Palestine conflict to consider improving the standard of living for Palestinian women.

Movement restrictions, military incursion and housing demolitions in Gaza and West Bank have left over 10,000 women homeless and unable to access to health services, education and employment, according a report released by the UN to mark this years International Women’s Day celebrations.

The Special Representative, David S Bassiouni, said “as women all over the world celebrated International women’s day, Palestine’s women continue to endure such hardship that their basic humanitarian needs are no longer guaranteed or protected”.

Meanwhile the ongoing conflict has lead to a 14% increase of home deliveries, while 25 pregnant women gave birth at military checkpoints, 19 others and 29 newborn babies have died since 2002 according to the UN report.

The UN believe that both parties of the conflict have obligations and responsibilities to improve the situation of Palestinian women and have called upon the international community to ensure that Israeli and Palestinian authorities abide by humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians and that the Israeli government provides unconditional access to health services, food and other basic supplies.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs