Goal 3. Palestine

 Goal 3: Palestine

Patricia Siplon

           The goal of empowering women has its successes and challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). The goal’s target, “eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education…” is likely to be achieved according to the Palestinian National Authority. Education levels are high for both males and females in the OPT. “The ratio of girls to boys in basic education increased from 95% in 1995 to 98% in 2009. In secondary education, girls now outnumber boys: the ratio increased from 84% in 1998 to 114% in 2000. Similarly, in tertiary education the ratio of females increased from 87% in 1994 to 117% in 2008 (2010 Progress Report, 20).”

However, educational parity does not necessarily equal gender equality or empowerment in the OPT. While women do receive education and have advanced in gaining roles in government, traditional practices such as honor killings are still not uncommon. Female empowerment is also dependent on many factors including location in the OPT, poverty level, and religion. The Palestinian National Authority does state that more legal reform is needed to legally discourage such practices of honor killings, but again legal issues are all dependent on whether Palestinians can have sovereignty over themselves to make and enforce their own policies.