6th Annual Conference on Gender Justice

Opening remarks for the conference were given by Bishop Azar of the ELCJHL; Mr. Simon Ridley, Sawasya Joint Programme Manager of the United Nations Development Programme; Rev. Sally Azar, first female pastor in the ELCJHL; and Prof. Dr. Jamal Al Kilani, Dean of the Faculty of Shari’a at An-Najah National University. Minister Mona al-Khalili, Minister of Women Affairs, was sadly unable to join today’s proceedings, but she shared a speech that was read by Conference Moderator Ms. Shadin Nassar.

 

In the first session, ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry Director Ms. Ranan Issa; Judge Somoud Damiri, first female Chief Prosecutor of the Shari’a Prosecution and first female judge on the Shari’a Court of Appeals; and Judge Scarlet Bishara, first female judge on the Ecclesiastical Court of the ELCJHL, discussed the achievements and goals of the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry and the Al-Hakimat Council throughout the last several years of work, research, and growth.

 

In the second session, Rev. Ashraf Tannous, ELCJHL pastor and Chief Justice of the ELCJHL’s Ecclesiastical Court of First Instance; Judge Christine Fodoul, the first female justice on the Greek Orthodox Court in Jordan; and Ms. Naila Younis, judicial training director for the Palestinian Judicial Institute, discussed future opportunities in Ecclesiastical Judiciary, including the ELCJHL’s new partnership with the Palestinian Judicial Institute.

 

For another year, this conference comes during a very difficult time for the Palestinian people. In the face of incredibly challenging circumstances, we are grateful to all those who came together to envision how we can create a more just and equitable society and world. Thank you to all the government officials, religious leaders, professors, scholars, judges, and community members who participated in this critical work today.

 

Finally, a special thanks to the ELCJHL youth for their hard work to help make today possible.