Sawasya Field Visit Highlights Support for Women’s Rehabilitation and Gender-Responsive Justice Services in Palestine

As part of its continued commitment to advancing gender-responsive justice and ensuring access to protection and rehabilitation services and legal aid for women in vulnerable situations, the Sawasya III Joint Programme organized a donor field visit to the Jericho Correction and Rehabilitation Centre, highlighting ongoing efforts to support women inmates and strengthen institutional responses within correctional settings.

The visit showcased the collaborative work of the Sawasya Programme and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) to enhance psychosocial support, rehabilitation opportunities, and gender-responsive services for women in conflict with the law across Correction and Rehabilitation Centres in the West Bank.

Through this long-standing partnership, Sawasya III supports the provision of integrated services that promote the dignity, well-being, and rehabilitation of women inmates, while strengthening the capacities of social workers and correctional officers to respond effectively to women’s specific needs. The interventions contribute to creating safer and more responsive correctional environments that uphold human rights principles and support pathways for reintegration. Through this partnership, women inmates receive tailored psychosocial support, including individual, group, and family counselling, alongside recreational, therapeutic, and skills-building activities that contribute to their well-being and future reintegration.

During the visit, donors were introduced to the different activities implemented with the support of TRC, including individual, group, and family psychosocial support sessions, recreational and therapeutic activities, staff well-being initiatives, and capacity-building interventions aimed at strengthening gender-sensitive approaches within correctional facilities.

During the visit, Ms. Hanan Qamar, Rule of Law and Protection Specialist and Sawasya Programme Manager at UN Women, emphasized: "The Sawasya Programme is grounded in the principle that access to justice is a fundamental human right for all, with particular attention to vulnerable groups, including women inmates. Through partnerships with national institutions and civil society organizations, the programme supports integrated, gender-responsive legal, psychosocial, and protection services that uphold women's rights and dignity, strengthen their resilience, and promote their safe and sustainable reintegration into society." She added. The programme also continues to advance timely access to legal assistance, promote early legal representation and fair trial guarantees, and support alternatives to detention in line with international human rights standards."

Brigadier (Legal) Dr. Saleh Al-Barghouthi, Director of the Correction and Rehabilitation Centres Administration, emphasized that these programmes are central to the mission of preparing women and men deprived of liberty for successful reintegration into society. He added: "The support of our international partners is essential to strengthening rehabilitation programmes and enhancing the quality of services provided within correction and rehabilitation centres. Visits such as this reinforce our partnerships and help ensure that support continues to address priority needs."

Dr. Khader Rasras, Director of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC), stated: "We highly value our collaboration with the Correction and Rehabilitation Centres Administration and our partners, which has enabled us to reach women deprived of liberty with essential psychosocial support services. These interventions are fundamental to restoring self-confidence, fostering resilience, and empowering women to rebuild their lives. Through this partnership, we strengthen family connections, promote social reintegration, and help create pathways towards a more stable future—one that preserves dignity and reduces the stigma and social exclusion that too often persist after the completion of a legal sentence."

The visit also highlighted the impact of programme-supported interventions. During the first half of 2026, 55 women inmates received mental health and psychosocial support services, including psychological first aid, individual counselling, group therapy, and family sessions. In addition, recreational and sports activities reached 30 women inmates across four Correction and Rehabilitation Centres, contributing to improved well-being and social connection.

Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation and future reintegration, Sawasya JP also supported economic empowerment initiatives for women inmates and female correctional officers. In 2026, 19 women inmates and eight female police officers participated in intensive small business accounting training, strengthening practical skills related to financial literacy, bookkeeping, pricing, and entrepreneurship.

The field visit reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration among justice institutions, civil society partners, and international actors to strengthen inclusive and gender-responsive justice services in Palestine. Through the Sawasya III Joint Programme, UN Women continues to support efforts to build justice systems that are more accessible, accountable, and responsive to the needs of women and marginalized groups.