The Center for Women’s Legal Researches, Counselling and Protection (CWLRCP) concluded a training course targeting a number of Sharia arbitrators. The course took place from January 10 to 16, 2021, at the Orthodox Cultural Center in Gaza City. This training is part of the activities of the project “Improving Justice Sector Services for Women in the Gaza Strip,” implemented by the center to support the development of the technical capacities of official actors based on human rights, and to improve women’s access to justice and protection services.

Project Coordinator, Ms. Zikra Ajjour, noted that the training targeted (20) Sharia arbitrators, who were trained over (5) consecutive days, for a total of (20) training hours. The training covered the following topics: Gender-based violence, the level of legal protection, referral pathways in the referral system for shelters, the Hayat Center system for the protection and empowerment of women and families, the principles of Sharia trials and lawsuits in women’s cases, the guide to Sharia rulings in women’s cases, drafting arbitration agreements (practical applications), and divorce by court ruling in women’s cases.

She clarified that the center will target (160) Sharia arbitrators in its training programs, divided into 8 groups. The center conducted the first training in December 2021 and will continue to conduct periodic training for Sharia arbitrators during the current year. The aim is to develop practical, human rights-based skills for service providers working with women exposed to violence in the Gaza Strip, and to support and develop the technical, human rights-based capabilities of judges working in family courts, Sharia arbitrators, and staff in family support and guidance units.