Ramallah-(BNEWS)-To mark International Women’s Day, BPW Palestine, in collaboration with the European Union, hosted a powerful dialogue bringing together women experts, leaders, and diplomats under the theme “Women in Diplomacy”—because women’s inclusion is not a luxury; it is indispensable.
On the 8th of March, the world celebrates the resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment of women in shaping the political and diplomatic landscape. Yet, after a genocidal war, for Palestinian women, this day is also a stark reminder that our struggle for inclusion is intertwined with our struggle for justice, dignity, self-determination and freedom from a prolonged military occupation.
The panel featured a legendary Palestinian political and civil society leader, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, UNDP Country Representative, HE Sara Poole, the Ambassador of Finland to Palestine, HE Tarya Konaskorteh and was co-moderated by the EU representative in Palestine, HE Alex Stutzmanne, and BPW president and professor of Diplomacy Dr. Dalal Iriqat.
The event featured recorded testimonies from Palestinian ambassadors—HE Rola Mhaisen (Sweden), HE Vera Baboun (Chile), and HE Jelan Wahbeh (Ireland)—who shared their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in diplomacy. These testimonies added depth to an already powerful debate.
Following the thought-provoking discussion on women’s leadership in diplomacy, interventions came from the audience; Palestine Ambassador to Canada, HE Mona Abu Amarra and Palestine’s former Ambassador to France, HE Hind Khoury, alongside Italian MP and longtime advocate for Palestinian rights, HE Luisa Morgantini, and other civil society leaders, sparking a broader discussion among attendees.
BPW aspires to be the catalyst for change. It’s time to move beyond symbolic gestures and ensure that no woman has to fight twice as hard just to take a seat at the table. We join forces. We rise together. We stand as catalysts for the change that should reflect Palestinian women’s resilience, steadfastness, and perseverance.
