Palestinian Govt Decries Israeli Violence Against Women

The Palestinian government on Tuesday launched a campaign to resist "Israeli violence against Palestinian women" to coincide with the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.



Palestinian Women's Affairs Minister Haifa al-Agha told a press conference in the Gaza Strip that the 16-day campaign, sponsored by the ministry, would feature activities by several local political groups and government institutions.



"The campaign aims to guarantee the adoption of fair policies towards Palestinian women," al-Agha asserted.



At least 270 Palestinian women were killed during this summer's devastating Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian government figures.



The Israeli offensive, which spanned 51 days between July and August, left over 2,160 Palestinians dead – the vast majority of them civilians – and nearly 11,000 injured.



The offensive ended on August 26 with a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions.



In 1999, the UN declared November 25 a day for campaigning against violence against women, calling on governments and NGOs to use the day each year to organize awareness rallies on the issue.



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze