Khalil Al Wazieer Street, Gaza, Palestine
Al Said Building
Gaza
Palestinian Territories
- Gender
- Human rights
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Research
WAC is an independent and non-profit Palestinian NGO with the purpose of empowering women and advocating women’s rights and gender equality through capacity development, information and innovative research and advocacy programs. WAC has (42) competent staff members (Core and fixed-term contracts) and supported with a pool of experts and volunteers that enable WAC to effectively manage its programs and projects. WAC has established a good governance system including (27) general assembly members and effective Board of Directors consisting of (3) female and (4) male influential community members. WAC's sources of funding include, but are not limited to: - Danish Representative Office (DRO), Feminist Peace Organization – CFD, Christian Aid (CA), General Consulate of France (FSD), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, European Commission, Islamic Relief Palestine (IRPAL), Trocaire Working for Just World, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Dan Church Aid, Kvinna till Kvinna (KtK), NGO Development Center (NDC), NOVIB Oxfam Netherlands, GVC WeWorld, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN WOMEN, NOREGIAN People Aid, United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The annual budget for 2017: 1001411.46 USD The annual budget for 2018: 1136806.35 USD The annual budget for 2019: 1609932.09 USD WAC has been an active member of the following local, regional and international bodies: coordination committee and women and youth sectors of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO); Aysha Arab Women’s Network; Amal Coalition; Al- Muntada Coalition for ending violence against women; A’dalah Coalition "Women for Change"; GBV sub-working group under the protection cluster; Legal Task Force (LTF) working under protection cluster; Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform (GUPAP) led by PNGO; Women’s Alliance Committee for the shadow reports; Women’s Alliance Secretariat to apply CEDAW convention in Palestine; Palestinian National Alliance Secretariat to apply UNSCR 1325 in Palestine.
WAC’s vision states that it is a women knowledge- based center playing an innovative and catalytic role in empowering women; and advocating women's rights and gender equality in the Palestinian sustainable development process. WAC's mission reflects that it is an independent and non-profit Palestinian NGO with the purpose of empowering women and advocating women’s rights and gender equality through capacity development, information and innovative research and advocacy programs. While implementing its strategy to fulfill its vision, WAC is guided by international human rights principles including empowerment and participation; equality and non-discrimination; and accountability to ensure justice and dignity for women. Strategic Goal # 1 (Long-term impact): Vulnerable women and girls (rights holders); particularly the victims and survivors of violence; in the Gaza Strip manifested economic advancement, resilience, agency and increasingly engaged in relations and networks. Strategic Goal # 2 (Long-term impact): Improved knowledge-led and informed decision making on women and gender issues. Strategic Goal # 3 (Long-term impact): Local and national duty bearers are increasingly accountable and take actions to advance women's human rights, gender equality and women's participation in political and public life.
WAC carries out all its core activities and projects within its 3 main programs:1) Empowering Women Program (EWP), which includes Training Unit, Small Business Unit, and Legal Clinic; 2) Information and Action Research Program (IRP), which includes: Research Unit and Management Information System; 3) Advocacy and Outreach Program (AOP), which includes: Advocacy Unit, Media Unit, and Video Unit. WAC's interventions include, but are not limited to awareness-raising workshops, professional/vocational training, ICT training, round table discussions, accountability sessions, dialogue meetings, financial aid/loans/grants for women, community initiatives, advocacy campaigns, business incubator, ICT incubator, temporary jobs/cash for work opportunities, videos/mobile films/documentaries, radio spots/episodes/sessions, Alghaidaa paper and online magazine, studies/researches on women's issues, analytical papers, position papers, psychosocial support, legal consultations and representation for vulnerable women and girls, factsheets, and good practices. WAC's current successful project include: “Promoting Digital Employment Opportunities for Young Women”, funded by Christian Aid “Empowering young women to translate ideas into jobs”, funded by DCA “Women, War, and Political Conflicts Palestinian Women in Gaza”, funded by KtK “Let’s Not Count Women, Let’s Make Women Count”, funded by KtK “Tale for Every House: Breaking Stereotypes and Enhancing Women's Image in Community”, funded by EU and GVC “Protection of Vulnerable Women and Girls Survivors of GBV in the Gaza Strip Through Coordinated and Multi-sectoral Responses”, funded by OCHA “Engaging Men and Boys in Promoting Gender Equality in Palestine”, funded by UNDEF “Reducing VAW/GBV against Marginalized Women and Girls in the Gaza Strip”, funded by Trocaire “Capacity Development of Actors within Justice Sector in the Gaza Strip”, funded by UNDP “Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access & Protection in Crisis Response (LEAP)”, funded by UN WOMEN “HAYA – Eliminating Violence Against Women”, funded by UN WOMEN