The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) is one of the biggest women’s Non-Government Organization’s (NGO) working in occupied Palestine. It aims to build a democratic Palestinian society based on gender equality, social justice, and respect for human rights. Since its establishment in 1981, PWWSD exerts its efforts to strengthen, empower and mobilize women’s participation in development processes for the  eradication of all forms of discrimination against women.  PWWSD recognizes women’s rights as human rights, and considers women’s issues as social-political ones It therefore maintains that the national, social and economic advancement of Palestinian society cannot be attained unless women participate actively and effectively in development on an equal basis in all spheres. ....

The PWWSD, as one of the biggest women non-government  organization’s in occupied Palestine, and as part of the Palestinian civil society, is seeking a balance between the national Agenda (ending the Israeli occupation and building the Palestinian independent sovereign state on the borders of 4th of July 1967) and the social democratic agenda based on gender equality to guarantee women’s empowerment and sustainable development in accordance with the democratic progressive, civil society, and social movements. PWWSD plays outstanding national and feminist human rights roles in the Palestinian community. Consequently, PWWSD focuses on grassroots mobilization by addressing women's needs, determining the attitudes toward women's issues, raising awareness, recruiting volunteers, lobbying and influencing policy makers, revising the social discourse concerning women rights, capacity building for women leaders, developing effective information, education keys to community support and involvement, communicating with women and the public and calling for action to guarantee access to justice for women. The uniqueness of PWWSD is in the direct relationship between the organization and the grassroots movement through outreach methodology and through prioritising women’s needs. Moreover, PWWSD adopts the SOS approach (service, opportunities, support) and the RBA (Results Base Approaches) as its main policies.

The Palestinian Working Women’s Society for Development’s strategic plan is a result of a collective process of analysis and dialogue. The process was carefully staged to allow time for information gathering, reflection, and discussion at different levels. Representatives from PWWSD General Assembly, Board of Directors, Staff, Volunteers and Activists from the Society’s target groups participated in this process, which was guided and supported by an external consultant. The strategy was developed during 2011 and updated in 2014.

The framework for PWWSD including its mission, vision and values constitutes the primary reference in the establishment of this strategic plan. This plan is also based upon our understanding of the internal and external factors affecting the Palestinian society, as well as in-depth analysis of Palestinian women’s issues and reality within the general political, economic and social context. The strategic plan highlights PWWSD’s developmental goal, strategic objectives, and their relations to the programs. It takes into account sectoral and programmatic work and highlights the importance of building coalitions and alliances with partners in development including beneficiaries, other civil society organizations, political parties and donors.

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) was established 1981  as the  “Union of Palestinian Working Women Committees”. In  2001 the organization was officially registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior. PWWSD is a Palestinian women, mass, developmental learning human rights organization that contributes to developing the feminist struggle within  national, social, and developmental dimensions. The organization believes that liberating women is connected directly with ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a democratic sovereign Palestinian civil state. PWWSD is  a reference for women and  all individuals or institutions interested in women’s issues. PWWSD is active all over the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and is an active member in several local, regional, and global networks and coalitions, such as the Palestinian NGO Network, the Arab Woman network, Aisha, and the International Union for Workers Education.

PWWSD approaches women’s rights as an integral part of human rights,   following several national and international conventions and treaties, among which are: the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of  1988, the Palestinian Basic Law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,  the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) , International Humanitarian Law, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 regarding the protection and security of women and their participation in conflict resolution. PWWSD is aware that women’s issues are largely  social, economic, and political.  Consequently, achieving woman’s freedom and their development on the basis of full citizenship rights is tied to achieving social,  economic, and democratic progress  at the community level, which requires the development of a clear political will to eliminate all forms of  discrimination and the embodiment of gender equality in the daily life of the community within the principles and concepts of the overall development.

The  headquarters of the organization  are based in Ramallah  and it runs offices in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarem, Bethlehem, Gaza, and Yattah to the south of Hebron. PWWSD targets woman in   marginalized areas, youth, children, women leaders, decision- makers, political parties, media personnel, and the community in general.