Palestinian Maintenance Fund Holds Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in Salfit to Advance Women's Access to Justice and Legal Services

Palestinian Maintenance Fund Holds Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in Salfit to Advance Women's Access to Justice and Legal Services
Under the patronage of the Salfit Governorate, and in partnership with the Sawasya III Programme through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Palestinian Maintenance Fund (PMF) held a multi-stakeholder workshop in Salfit entitled: "Strengthening Cooperation between the Palestinian Maintenance Fund and Partner Institutions to Enhance Women's Access to Justice and Legal Services."

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Mahmoud Saleh, Deputy Governor of Salfit, who underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration among public institutions to reinforce the legal and social protection system and support initiatives that facilitate citizens' access to their rights, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, in line with the principles of justice and the rule of law.

For her part, Ms. Fatima Al-Moaqat, Director General of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund, explained that the workshop forms part of PMF's ongoing efforts to develop more effective mechanisms for institutional cooperation and to promote integrated approaches to addressing maintenance cases. She emphasized that strengthening coordination among partners contributes to improving the efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness of services provided to beneficiaries.

Ms. Leah Claus Kins, Representative of the Sawasya III Programme, stressed that meaningful access to justice extends beyond legal frameworks. It requires effective institutional coordination, clear referral pathways, and a shared commitment to delivering services that respond to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups, thereby ensuring sustainable impact and improved service quality.

The workshop brought together representatives from a broad range of governmental institutions and partner organizations, including the Preventive Security Service, General Intelligence, the Ministry of Interior, the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the National Security Forces, Military Intelligence, Sarta Village Council, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Economy, the Palestinian Police, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Social Development, the National Guidance Authority, the Customs Police, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, the Bruqin Women's Association, students from Al-Quds Open University, as well as representatives of relevant civil society organizations.

During the workshop, PMF lawyers Ms. Ebtehal Abu Suleiman and Ms. Majd Khalayleh delivered a presentation outlining the Fund's mandate, services, beneficiary eligibility criteria, and the programmes it provides to support individuals entitled to maintenance.

The session also featured a presentation by Ms. Hadeel Rabie, Director of the Legal Department at PMF, in collaboration with representatives of the Ministry of Social Development, the Family Protection Police, the Judicial Police, and the High Judicial Council. The discussion examined the key challenges affecting the enforcement of maintenance judgments and highlighted the importance of institutional coordination in overcoming procedural obstacles, strengthening the rule of law, improving the recovery of public funds, and ensuring that maintenance rights reach their rightful beneficiaries.

At the conclusion of the workshop, PMF announced the establishment of a rent-free service office within the Salfit Governorate premises. The new office will enable the Fund to provide its services directly to residents of the governorate, improving access for eligible women and families and further advancing access to justice and legal services.