عربي
H.E. Dr. Awad, Highlights the Situation of the Palestinian Women on the Eve of the International Women's Day, 08/03/2020
Women represent half of the Palestinian society
The population in Palestine estimated 5.10 million in mid 2020, including 2.59 million males (51%) and 2.51 million females (49%), whereas the sex ratio stood at 103.4; meaning that there are 103 males for every 100 females.
More than one-tenth of the Palestinian households are headed by women
Data of Labour Force Survey 2019 showed that the percentage of households headed by women in Palestine was 11% (12% in the West Bank and 9% in Gaza Strip).
Significant decrease in the percentage of early marriage in Palestine
There is a decline in the percentage of early marriage (for those under the age of 18) for both sexes, where it reached 20% of the females’ registered marriages in 2018 (19% in the West Bank and 21% in Gaza Strip) out of total number of females registered marriages in the same year compared with 24% in 2010, while the percentage was 1% of males’ registered marriages of out of total number of males registered marriages in the same year, compared to 2% in 2010.
About two thirds of women (18 years and above) are married
According to the Labour Force Survey 2019, the percentage of married women out of the total number of women aged 18 years and above was 66%, 26% never married, 6% widows and 2% divorced.
Significant decrease in the illiteracy rates among women
Despite the decline in illiteracy rate among women over the past decade, the gap still for men, where the illiteracy rate among women was 4% compared to 1% among men according to the labour force Survey 2019.
High enrollment rates of females in secondary stage and higher education
Data of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for the scholastic year 2018/2019, showed that male enrollment in secondary stage1 was 71%, compared to female enrollment, which was 91%. As for the percentage of female students enrolled in the Palestinian higher education institutions reached 60% out of the total number of students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
Percentage of females who use Internet is lower than males
Data of the Household Survey on Information and Communications Technology 2019 indicated that the percentage of individuals (10 years and above) who use Internet reached 72% of males compared to 69% of females. Moreover, the percentage of males who use social or vocational networks reached 88% compared to 84% for females.
Furthermore, the percentage of households headed by a man and own a mobile phone reached 99% compared to 88% of the households headed by a woman. Also, the percentage of households that one of its members owns a smart phone reached 89% of households headed by a man compared with 62% of households headed by a woman. In addition, the percentage of households headed by a man and own a computer (Desktop, laptop or tablet) reached 35% compared to 19% of households headed by a woman.
A gap in the participation rate in the labour force and average daily wage between women and men
Big gap of participation between women and men in the labour force during 2015 and 2019; where is the womn’s participation still relatively low compared to men's participation. The women’s participation rate in the labour force reached 18% out of total women at work age during 2019. This percentage was the same for the year 2015; knowing that the percentage of men's participation in labour force reached 70% in 2019. There was also a gap in the average daily wages between women and men (the average daily wage for women was 98 NIS compared to 102 NIS for men).
The gap in labour force participation between women and men (15 years and above) with disabilities is deepening
According to the Labour Force Survey 2019 data, participation rate of women with disabilities in labour force in Palestine was only 4% of the total women with disabilities compared to 24% of the total men with disabilities.
Youth in the age group (19–29 years) who hold Intermediate diploma and Above, suffer the most from unemployment
Unemployment rate among youth graduates of those who hold Intermediate diploma and above reached 52% (68% of females compared with 35% of males). The unemployment rate among participated women in the labour force was 41% compared to 21% among men in 2019.
About one third of employees in the private sector get paid less than the minimum average wages (1,450 NIS) per month in Palestine.
Data of the Labour Force Survey 2019 indicated that about 29% of male employees in the private sector get paid less than the minimum average wages (1,450 NIS) per month compared to 35% of female employees.
One fourth of female employees in the private sector work without an employment contract
25% of the female employees hired in the private sector work without an employment contract, and 49% of them get a contribution in financing retirement/end of service package. However, less than half of female employees in the private sector (48%) get a paid maternity leave for year 2019.
Gaza governorate witnessed the highest level of violence against currently or ever married women
Data of Violence Survey 2019, showed that Hebron governorate is one of the highest governorates with the prevalence of violence by the husbands against currently or ever married women (18-64 years). Thus, this percentage reached 37%, followed by Jenin governorate with a percentage of 27% and the least governorate with the prevalence of violence is Jerusalem governorate with a percentage of 11%. On the level of Gaza Strip governorates, Khan Yunis and Gaza governorates had the highest prevalence of violence by husbands against currently or ever married women. Hence, the two percentages reached 41% and 40%, respectively, while Dier Al-Balah governorate had the least prevalence of violence by the husbands with a percentage of 30%.
A humble participation of women in decision making positions
According to 2019 data, the participation of women in decision making positions is still limited comparing to men's. These data showed that 5% of the Palestinian Central Council members, 11% of the Palestinian National Council members and 14% of the Council of Ministers members are women. Also, 11% is the percentage of the active women ambassadors in the Diplomatic Service. Moreover, there is one woman holds the position of Ramallah and Al-Bireh governor out of 16 governors.
According to the General Personnel Council data up to February 2020, the percentage of women's participation in the civil sector reached 44% of the total employees in the public sector. The gap is reflected when talking about those who hold the rank of Director General and higher, where this percentage reached 13% of women compared with 87% of men.
H.E. Dr. Ola Awad, President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), on Thursday 05/03/2020, highlighted the situation of the Palestinian women on the eve of the International Women's Day, 08/03/2020
Women represent half of the Palestinian society
The population in Palestine estimated 5.10 million in mid 2020, including 2.59 million males (51%) and 2.51 million females (49%), whereas the sex ratio stood at 103.4; meaning that there are 103 males for every 100 females.
More than one-tenth of the Palestinian households are headed by women
Data of Labour Force Survey 2019 showed that the percentage of households headed by women in Palestine was 11% (12% in the West Bank and 9% in Gaza Strip).
Significant decrease in the percentage of early marriage in Palestine
There is a decline in the percentage of early marriage (for those under the age of 18) for both sexes, where it reached 20% of the females’ registered marriages in 2018 (19% in the West Bank and 21% in Gaza Strip) out of total number of females registered marriages in the same year compared with 24% in 2010, while the percentage was 1% of males’ registered marriages of out of total number of males registered marriages in the same year, compared to 2% in 2010.
About two thirds of women (18 years and above) are married
According to the Labour Force Survey 2019, the percentage of married women out of the total number of women aged 18 years and above was 66%, 26% never married, 6% widows and 2% divorced.
Significant decrease in the illiteracy rates among women
Despite the decline in illiteracy rate among women over the past decade, the gap still for men, where the illiteracy rate among women was 4% compared to 1% among men according to the labour force Survey 2019.
High enrollment rates of females in secondary stage and higher education
Data of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for the scholastic year 2018/2019, showed that male enrollment in secondary stage1 was 71%, compared to female enrollment, which was 91%. As for the percentage of female students enrolled in the Palestinian higher education institutions reached 60% out of the total number of students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
Percentage of females who use Internet is lower than males
Data of the Household Survey on Information and Communications Technology 2019 indicated that the percentage of individuals (10 years and above) who use Internet reached 72% of males compared to 69% of females. Moreover, the percentage of males who use social or vocational networks reached 88% compared to 84% for females.
Furthermore, the percentage of households headed by a man and own a mobile phone reached 99% compared to 88% of the households headed by a woman. Also, the percentage of households that one of its members owns a smart phone reached 89% of households headed by a man compared with 62% of households headed by a woman. In addition, the percentage of households headed by a man and own a computer (Desktop, laptop or tablet) reached 35% compared to 19% of households headed by a woman.
A gap in the participation rate in the labour force and average daily wage between women and men
Big gap of participation between women and men in the labour force during 2015 and 2019; where is the womn’s participation still relatively low compared to men's participation. The women’s participation rate in the labour force reached 18% out of total women at work age during 2019. This percentage was the same for the year 2015; knowing that the percentage of men's participation in labour force reached 70% in 2019. There was also a gap in the average daily wages between women and men (the average daily wage for women was 98 NIS compared to 102 NIS for men).
The gap in labour force participation between women and men (15 years and above) with disabilities is deepening
According to the Labour Force Survey 2019 data, participation rate of women with disabilities in labour force in Palestine was only 4% of the total women with disabilities compared to 24% of the total men with disabilities.
Youth in the age group (19–29 years) who hold Intermediate diploma and Above, suffer the most from unemployment
Unemployment rate among youth graduates of those who hold Intermediate diploma and above reached 52% (68% of females compared with 35% of males). The unemployment rate among participated women in the labour force was 41% compared to 21% among men in 2019.
About one third of employees in the private sector get paid less than the minimum average wages (1,450 NIS) per month in Palestine.
Data of the Labour Force Survey 2019 indicated that about 29% of male employees in the private sector get paid less than the minimum average wages (1,450 NIS) per month compared to 35% of female employees.
One fourth of female employees in the private sector work without an employment contract
25% of the female employees hired in the private sector work without an employment contract, and 49% of them get a contribution in financing retirement/end of service package. However, less than half of female employees in the private sector (48%) get a paid maternity leave for year 2019.
Gaza governorate witnessed the highest level of violence against currently or ever married women
Data of Violence Survey 2019, showed that Hebron governorate is one of the highest governorates with the prevalence of violence by the husbands against currently or ever married women (18-64 years). Thus, this percentage reached 37%, followed by Jenin governorate with a percentage of 27% and the least governorate with the prevalence of violence is Jerusalem governorate with a percentage of 11%. On the level of Gaza Strip governorates, Khan Yunis and Gaza governorates had the highest prevalence of violence by husbands against currently or ever married women. Hence, the two percentages reached 41% and 40%, respectively, while Dier Al-Balah governorate had the least prevalence of violence by the husbands with a percentage of 30%.
A humble participation of women in decision making positions
According to 2019 data, the participation of women in decision making positions is still limited comparing to men's. These data showed that 5% of the Palestinian Central Council members, 11% of the Palestinian National Council members and 14% of the Council of Ministers members are women. Also, 11% is the percentage of the active women ambassadors in the Diplomatic Service. Moreover, there is one woman holds the position of Ramallah and Al-Bireh governor out of 16 governors.
According to the General Personnel Council data up to February 2020, the percentage of women's participation in the civil sector reached 44% of the total employees in the public sector. The gap is reflected when talking about those who hold the rank of Director General and higher, where this percentage reached 13% of women compared with 87% of men.