Steadfastness and Empowerment: Palestinian Women and the YWCA of Palestine
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 11am-noon Eastern
As the world has watched a US- and Israeli-led war against Iran over the past several weeks, the impact has been felt directly in other parts of the Middle East as well, and has overshadowed Israel’s war against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. The impact of the last two and a half years of war, and over 58 years of occupation, and almost eight decades of displacement have been felt deeply by Palestinian families, including and especially by Palestinian women. But women have also been at the forefront of resistance to the challenges Palestinians have faced. For over 130 years, the YWCA of Palestine has offered a witness of hope and empowerment – for women and for Palestinian society more broadly. What have those impacts been and how have Palestinian women been affected? What roles have Palestinian women claimed in the midst of these challenges? And in what ways has the YWCA of Palestine continued to enable women and youth to demand, exercise and protect their economic, social and political rights?
In this webinar, join us as we welcome Ms. Mayadah Tarazi, the YWCA of Palestine’s Operations, Human Resources and International Relations Manager, and Ms. Selina Abdullah, the YWCA of Palestine’s Grants, Reporting and Compliance Manager, two young women who exemplify the Palestinian characteristic of Sumud, or steadfastness. They will discuss the current lived reality, how Palestinians have faced that reality, and the ways that the YWCA of Palestine has responded.
Presented in collaboration with the Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ