Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women and WFP organize online discussion on role of gender-responsive cash and voucher assistance in enhancing women¡¯s protection and resilience
Date:?Friday, August 27, 2021
Coupled with health, protection and education support, cash and voucher assistance can be an important tool to help conflict-impacted Palestinians, particularly women, to gain new skills while increasing their income, according to speakers in the discussion.
The discussion was organized jointly by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day to launch a?, prepared by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women Palestine Country Office.
“Global, regional, and local research has demonstrated how gender-sensitive cash and voucher assistance can bolster women¡¯s social protection and development,¡± said Pushkar Sharma, key researcher of the guidance. ¡°It has the potential to create economic opportunities, build women¡¯s resilience and independence and combat gender-based violence.¡±
Developed by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women with generous support from the Government of Japan, the Guidance Note details practical tools and recommendations to guide development partners in the implementation of high-quality and gender-responsive cash and voucher assistance interventions.
¡°Women and girls often bear the brunt of conflict due to pre-existing gender inequalities,¡± said Maryse Guimond, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women Special Representative in Palestine. ¡°When women and girls have fair and equal access to resources, they can meaningfully participate in and influence decision-making processes. This makes them less vulnerable to sexual exploitation and negative coping strategies, such as child marriage or forced labour.¡±
¡°Given the growing importance of cash-based interventions, the centrality of gender equality to sustainable development and resource scarcity, it¡¯s crucial that our cash assistance is guided by evidence-based and reliable information,¡± said Samer AbdelJaber, Country Director and Representative of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ World Food Programme in Palestine.
¡°The protracted humanitarian situation has aggravated poverty in Gaza, particularly among vulnerable women,¡± said Amal Syam, Director of Women¡¯s Affairs Center in Gaza. ¡°Cash for work is one of the most important economic interventions provided for vulnerable women survivors of gender-based violence to support them and enhance their resilience through reducing their economic hardships.¡±
For more information, please contact: Samir Barhoum, email: samir.barhoum@unwomen.org
Document Sources: Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Women, World Food Programme (WFP)
Subject: Assistance, Food, Gender, Women
Publication Date: 27/08/2021
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