The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation

tention for children with special needs. It prepares pupils to become
global citizens, respectful of one another and of differences among
people.” (Report, p. 218). Special emphasis is placed on the curriculum
of human rights. For that, more than 200 teachers are being trained in
human rights. In addition to school education, UNRWA organizes vocational
education centres to provide young people with market able
skills.
Another important area of activity is the health service. “UNRWA’s past
achievements in health have been impressive, particularly in the areas of
maternal and children’s health, but the impact of deteriorating socio-economic
conditions on the physical and mental health of people in Gaza
po ses a growing challenge. Nearly 200 community mental health counsellors
in UNRWA schools assist troubled and special needs children through
targeted individual and group intervention.” (Report, p. 219)
The social service programme, organized in more than 100 communitybased
organizations (CBOs), includes a broad variety of social, cultural
and leisure time activities, including vocational education and rehabilitation
measures. “The programme particularly addresses the needs of
women, refugees with disabilities, young people and the elderly. It also
helps vulnerable refugees through its micro-credit programme, which is
managed by community-based organizations” (Report, p. 225). The programme
supports small businesses, especially those run by women:
“Many of the microfinance department’s clients operate small, often informal
businesses on the margins of the economy. They include vegetable
stallholders, home seamstresses, garage owners and fishermen.
Many run businesses that are not registered with the government, let
alone the municipal or tax authorities.” (Report, p. 226)
In spite of all the restrictions, big summer recreation programmes for
children and young people have been carried out in Gaza since 2007.
“Children constitute the majority of the people in Gaza. For these children,
life is overwhelmingly characterized by conflicts, poverty and despair.
In UNRWA schools, they spend their days in overcrowded
classrooms. Years of destruction, conflicts and deprivation have left few
or no spaces in which children can participate in recreational or artistic
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