The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) organized a ceremony honoring women leaders in local governance under the theme “Women’s Decision-Making in Local Authorities”, marking Palestinian National Women’s Day. The event celebrated women mayors and deputy mayors who have demonstrated inspiring leadership in municipal management and local development.
The ceremony was attended by APLA President Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Zubaidi, Executive Director Eng. Abdallah Anati, and members of the Task Team on Inclusion of Marginalized Groups in Local Authorities.
This event reflects APLA’s strategic approach to advancing justice and equality within the local governance system and reinforcing the representation of Palestinian women as essential partners in leadership, policy-making, and community development. It forms part of APLA’s broader institutional pathway toward empowering women and promoting their leadership roles in local governance by fostering inclusive environments that enhance municipalities’ capacity to adopt more equitable and responsive policies — supported by the Local Governance Reform Programme – GIZ.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Al-Zubaidi emphasized that empowering women in local governance is one of the key pillars of institutional transformation within APLA. He affirmed that the presence of Palestinian women in municipal and village councils is not an exception but a natural reflection of a national consciousness grounded in justice and participation. He noted that gender equality is integrated into APLA’s institutional approach, not treated as a separate component, and that APLA continues to embed this principle across all its programs and activities.
Ms. Nisreen Mansour, Activities Coordinator at APLA, presented a briefing titled “Women’s Decision-Making in Local Governance”, highlighting APLA’s experience in strengthening women’s representation in local authorities and the pivotal role of the Task Team on Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion in advancing this institutional transformation.
The central part of the ceremony featured a dialogue session that brought together several women mayors, who shared personal and professional experiences of leadership within complex and challenging environments. The discussion provided an open and insightful space that reflected the essence of women’s leadership in the Palestinian local governance context.
Eng. Aseel Ghanem, Mayor of Deir Al-Ghusoun, shared her journey of leadership in a context that intertwines politics, service, and responsibility. She highlighted the courage required to enter local governance and the importance of redefining political decision-making through proximity to citizens’ daily lives and the pursuit of justice.
Anwar Al-Shawamreh, Mayor of Deir Al-Asal Al-Fouqa Village Council and the youngest woman to hold such a position in Palestine, spoke about leading from a conservative rural environment where female leadership was once unfamiliar. She emphasized that leadership is earned through work and perseverance and that women’s representation in local governance is a necessity to restore balance in decision-making structures.
Khadija Othman, Mayor of Beit ‘Ur al-Tahta, offered a heartfelt reflection on what it means to lead under constant financial and administrative pressure. She stated that leadership in the Palestinian context is not a privilege but an act of endurance and collective responsibility, adding that women’s presence in local governance brings a human dimension to policy-making that makes it more authentic and closer to people’s realities. She concluded by expressing her appreciation to APLA for being a consistent supporter and advocate of women in leadership, providing them with the visibility and space they deserve.
At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Al-Zubaidi and Eng. Anati honored the participating women mayors, deputy mayors, and members of the Gender and Inclusion Task Team in recognition of their role in promoting equality and inclusiveness within the local governance system and advancing local management practices that are more responsive, just, and participatory.
