Palestinian women's unique struggle against occupation: MEMO in Conversation with Amani Mustafa

Middle East Monitor Conversations

The prolonged nature of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land has meant women have to make life altering decisions from a very early age, the country director for Women for Women International in Palestine tells MEMO, their struggle is unique but women have been instrumental in rebuilding and healing their communities.

A rights organisation that supports women affected by Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands and its numerous wars on civilians, Women for Women International (WFWI) in Palestine constantly adapted its programmes in response to Israel's violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinian women face unique challenges living under occupation and bombardment, and many of the decisions they are forced to make are life changing. To discuss what some of these hardships are, MEMO in Conversation is joined by WFWI Country Director Amani Mustafa.

Mustafa grew up in the West Bank where she experienced first hand the challenges faced by ordinary civilians trying to get on with everyday life. The situation is particularly difficult for women in Hebron's H2 area, where some of the most extreme settlers live, and so the organsiation has set up specific integrating protective measures for women and girls in that area. The harsh living conditions mean their families are often forced to marry their daughters off at a younger age to protect them from the illegal settlers and occupation forces. But all this comes at a cost.

Mustafa was educated at Bethlehem University and holds degrees in English Literature and International Cooperation and Development. She has long advocated for the rights of Palestinian women on both national and international platforms.
She has over 16 years of experience leading programmes aimed at bolstering Palestinian women’s social power and economic autonomy across the West Bank and Gaza.