On Friday, April 1, 2022, Faith to Action Network Partner, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) organized a dialogue session in commemoration of women’s history month. The dialogue session brought together approximately 50 people comprising of women, men, youth, and children.
The session provided an opportunity to discuss and advance rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to societal and environmental issues in Palestine. It enabled the participants to reflect on ELCJHL’s dedication to upholding women’s rights in Palestine by deconstructing rigid gender norms and encouraging dialogues on gender justice to amplify the voices of women and mobilize for change.
In addition, the dialogue gave the participants an opportunity to shed light on the core causes of biodiversity loss in Palestine. The participants got an understanding of Environmental Educational Center’s (EEC) overall objective of preserving and safeguarding Palestinian natural heritage for future generations, as well as its commitment to fostering a sustainable future through numerous educational initiatives and environmental campaigns.
Participants also enjoyed a tour of EEC’s main facilities including: The Botanical Garden -where they learned about plant diversity and other sustainability projects; the Wooden Path – where they learnt about Palestine’s native plants; the Bird Migratory Station – where they learned about bird species in Palestine and why Palestine is an important midpoint of the Eurasian flyway and a significant research spot internationally, and lastly, the EEC Museum – where they observed mummified specimens of birds.
Towards the end of the tour, participants had a reflection session. They called for bold and revolutionary efforts to address the core causes of discrimination against women and the need to provide equal access to resources. Participants stressed the importance of conducting collective action in promoting women’s rights and environmental justice in Palestine, which calls for community involvement in result-oriented discussions.
