Combating domestic violence

The social and economic living conditions of the Palestinian population in the West Bank are shaped by decades of occupation, poverty, unemployment and deprivation. One consequence of this is the high prevalence of domestic violence. Women and mothers bear the brunt of everyday life. However, they often pass on their frustration and experience of violence resulting from overwork to their own children, who then become aggressive or react with school failure and behavioral problems. The situation has been made even worse in recent years by the corona pandemic.

The aim of the project is to combat domestic violence (with women as victims but also with women as perpetrators against children and daughters-in-law). For this purpose, mothers are trained as family helpers who then make home visits to affected families and organize group sessions for mothers, couples, husbands and grandparents where the topic of domestic violence is discussed. This process requires a lot of patience. Family matters are traditionally viewed as entirely private matters and outside intervention is often viewed as inappropriate interference. It sometimes takes a very long time for families to open up and accept this help. The advice usually extends over several years. The trained family helpers receive ongoing training and supervision later in their work.

The Redel Foundation is supporting the project with 60,000 euros.

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