SAWA (non-profit organization)

SAWA is a Palestinian, non-profit civil society organization established in 1998 by a group of female volunteers active in women's issues.[1][2][3]

This organization works to eliminate all types of violence against women and children, and to promote gender equality in Palestinian society. The vision of SAWA is clearly stated: "We aim to be the lead organization working against the prevailing culture of violence and promoting a culture of peace and security which serves human and community development in order to achieve a democratic society based on the principles of equality and social justice and on human rights."[4]

SAWA works toward the goals of this vision in several basic ways. Intensively trained volunteers and staff work at the national call center hot line, which is free for callers. Counseling and support is given and if needed, medical and legal guidance as well. People in need of SAWA's services can also contact them through email.[5] In addition to the main call center, SAWA has a mobile clinic which allows them to conduct outreach programs in different parts of the community and outlying areas. SAWA also provides training and technical assistance for law enforcement, school personnel and others in the areas of domestic violence and abuse.[6]

A special hotline for children was established by SAWA and became available for use in 2005.[7] It is called the Palestinian Child Protection Helpline and is part of an international network of child help lines called Child Helpline International.[8]

SAWA also publishes and distributes printed material for the purpose of education and awareness of physical, psychological and sexual violence. These efforts toward outreach resulted in the major role SAWA had/has in assisting victims of the siege of Gaza in 2008/09.[9][10] During the siege of Gaza, an emergency hotline was opened up for traumatized children and parents in Gaza. 200-250 calls per day were coming into SAWA's hotline.[11][12] SAWA is also very active in combatting human trafficking and the prostitution of Palestinian girls and women.[13] SAWA wrote an extensive report regarding this problem, called, "Trafficking and Forced Prostitution of Palestinian Women and Girls: Forms of Modern Day Slavery."[14][15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "Netzkraft Movement". Netzkraft.net. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  2. ↑ "SAWA: All the Women Together, Today and Tomorrow | Open Society Foundations (OSF)". Open Society Foundations. December 27, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Second Category Prize | AGFund". Agfundprize.org. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  4. ↑ "SAWA web site". SAWA. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Organisations we support » Kvinna till Kvinna – works for peace and gender equality". Kvinnatillkvinna.se. April 16, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA - SAWA Celebrates "Mobile Clinic" Opening". March 28, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Carlyn Hambuba". Ciranda. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Save the Children" (PDF). February 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  9. ↑ "IPS – MIDEAST: Gaza Siege Batters Women | Inter Press Service". Ipsnews.net. July 16, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA - Hotline 121 Guides Gaza’s Children and Parents Safe". January 25, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ "IRIN Middle East | ISRAEL-OPT: Hotlines support Gaza residents | Israel | OPT | Aid Policy | Children | Conflict | Health & Nutrition". IRIN. January 15, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Help Line for Palestinian Kids Stunned by War". New York Daily News. January 18, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  13. ↑ "No Escape for Palestinian Women Forced into Prostitution". Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. May 13, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Report Lifts Veil on Trafficking, Prostitution of Palestinian Women". CNN. December 11, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  15. ↑ Vinsinfo (December 9, 2009). "Rare Report on Prostitution in Palestinian Territories". The Media Line. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Trafficking and Forced Prostitution of Palestinian Women and Girls: Forms of Modern Day Slavery" (pdf). SAWA. June 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2013.

External links

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