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

Palestinian Maintenance Fund Holds Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in Qalqilya to Advance Women's Access to Justice and Legal Services
The Palestinian Maintenance Fund (PMF) held a multi-stakeholder workshop today at the Qalqilya Governorate headquarters under the title "Strengthening Cooperation between the Palestinian Maintenance Fund and Partner Institutions to Enhance Women's Access to Justice and Legal Services." The workshop was organized in partnership with the Sawasya III Programme through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and brought together a broad range of representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, and key partner agencies.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Mohammad Khader, Acting Governor of Qalqilya, in the presence of Ms. Fatima Al-Moaqat, Director General of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund, along with representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Civil Defense, the National Security Forces, Military Intelligence, the Health Work Committees, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Buildings and Property Tax Department, Al-Inqath Association, the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA), the Protection Network, Al-Quds Open University, Habla Municipality, Kufriyat Municipality, as well as women activists and representatives of partner institutions.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohammad Khader emphasized the importance of strengthening legal and social awareness of women's and children's rights and highlighted the vital role of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund in safeguarding the rights of maintenance beneficiaries and alleviating the hardships they face. He reaffirmed the Governorate's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote social justice and strengthen cooperation among public institutions and development partners in the service of citizens.

For her part, Ms. Fatima Al-Moaqat, Director General of PMF, stated that the workshop forms part of the Fund's strategic vision to expand women's and eligible beneficiaries' access to justice and legal services while increasing public awareness of the Fund's mandate, services, and programmes. She stressed that institutional partnerships are fundamental to strengthening the rule of law, reinforcing accountability for those who evade the enforcement of maintenance judgments, protecting beneficiaries' rights, and improving the recovery of the Fund's resources, which constitute privileged public funds under Palestinian law.

The workshop featured a series of technical presentations. PMF lawyers Ms. Zeina Khalafah and Ms. Asmaa Hanbali presented the Fund's mandate, objectives, services, eligibility criteria, and the programmes it implements to enhance access to justice and support maintenance beneficiaries.

In addition, Mr. Ahmad Al-Hussein, Director of the Women's Protection Department at the Ministry of Social Development, outlined the Ministry's role in protecting women and other vulnerable groups and highlighted mechanisms for coordination with partner institutions. Mr. Saleh Barham, Head of the Judicial Police in Qalqilya Governorate, discussed the Judicial Police's role in enforcing court judgments and strengthening cooperation with relevant stakeholders. Judge Muthanna Al-Zubaidi, Civil Enforcement Judge, and Judge Firas Suroor, Sharia Enforcement Judge, addressed the legal and procedural aspects of enforcing maintenance judgments, examined the principal operational challenges affecting implementation, and explored practical solutions through enhanced institutional coordination.

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants examined the key barriers limiting women's and eligible beneficiaries' access to justice and legal services and exchanged recommendations for strengthening referral mechanisms and institutional cooperation.

At the close of the workshop, participants reaffirmed the importance of deepening coordination and integration among all relevant stakeholders to overcome challenges related to the enforcement of maintenance judgments. They emphasized that stronger institutional cooperation contributes to upholding the rule of law, improving the recovery of the Palestinian Maintenance Fund's privileged public funds, ensuring that legal entitlements reach their rightful beneficiaries, and enhancing the protection of women, children, and other vulnerable groups through sustained institutional collaboration.