DOCSLIB.ORG

Evaluation of UNRWA's Gender Mainstreaming Strategy Final Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evaluation of UNRWA's Gender Mainstreaming Strategy Final Report Evaluation of UNRWA’s Gender Mainstreaming Strategy Final Report Elayne Gallagher, Ph.D. Senior Governance Advisor and Gender Expert Jessica Smith, MA, Assistant 15 August 2014 Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 4 LIST OF ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................................... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 7 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2 Situation and Context ................................................................................................................. 11 1.3 Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Structure of the Report ............................................................................................................... 13 2. EVALUATION SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 13 2.1 Purpose: ............................................................................................................................................ 14 2.1. Approach and Methodology ............................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................................. 15 2.4 Strategic Outcome Areas .................................................................................................................. 15 2.5 Opportunities and Constraints .......................................................................................................... 16 3. GENDER MAINSTREAMING STRATEGY ............................................................................................... 16 3.1 Agency-Wide Strategic Approach and Intervention Logic ................................................................ 16 3.2 Agency Core Functions ...................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.1 Ethics Office ............................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.2 Human Resources Management ................................................................................................ 17 3.2.3 Department of Planning ............................................................................................................. 18 3.2.4 Protection................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2.5 External Relations and Communications (ERCD) ....................................................................... 19 3.3 Agency Programmes and Services: ............................................................................................. 20 3.3.1 Relief and Social Services Department, ..................................................................................... 20 3.3.2 Education ................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.2 Infrastructure and Camp Improvement ......................................................................................... 21 3.3.3 Health Department ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.3.5 Microfinance and Microenterprise Department (MMD) ............................................................... 22 3.3.6 Emergency Response ................................................................................................................. 22 3.4 External Partners ............................................................................................................................... 23 3.4.1 Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), State of Palestine ............................................................. 23 3.4.2 UN Women..................................................................................................................................... 24 1 3.4.3 Italian Consulate (IC) .................................................................................................................. 24 3.4.3 Spanish Agency of Cooperation for Development (AECID ......................................................... 25 4. GMS IMPLEMENTATION ..................................................................................................................... 25 4.1 Gender Balance and Leadership Development ................................................................................ 26 4.1.1 WBFO Gender Balance ............................................................................................................ 29 4.1.2 JFO Gender Balance ................................................................................................................. 29 4.1.3 LFO Gender Balance ................................................................................................................. 30 4.1.3 GFO Gender Balance ............................................................................................................... 30 4.2 Gender Based Violence ............................................................................................................... 31 4.2.1 GFO GBV ................................................................................................................................... 35 4.2.2 LFO GBV .................................................................................................................................... 36 4.2.3 WBFO GBV .......................................................................................................................... 37 4.2.4 JFO GBV ...................................................................................................................................... 37 4.2.5 SFO GBV ..................................................................................................................................... 38 4.2 Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEM) ............................................................................... 39 4.3.1 LFO (WEM) ............................................................................................................................... 42 4.3.2 WBFO (WEM) ........................................................................................................................... 42 4.3.2 JFO (WEM) ........................................................................................................................... 43 4.3.4 SFO (WEM) ............................................................................................................................... 43 4.3.5 GFO (WEM) .............................................................................................................................. 43 4.3 Reducing the Drop-Out Rates ..................................................................................................... 45 4.3.1 JFO Drop-out rates .............................................................................................................. 46 4.3.2 SFO Drop-out rates ............................................................................................................. 46 4.3.3 GFO Drop-out rates ............................................................................................................. 47 4.3.4 WBFO Drop-out rates .......................................................................................................... 47 4.3.5 LFO Drop-out .............................................................................................................................. 48 5. APPROACH, THE FOUR LEVERS OF THE STRATEGY ............................................................................. 50 5.1. Creating a Structure for Change ...................................................................................................... 50 5.2 Building the Capacity of Staff ............................................................................................................ 52 5.3 Effective Communication and Outreach ..................................................................................... 54 5.4 Mainstreaming Gender Analysis and Planning ........................................................................... 56 6. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................ 58 6.1 Relevance ...................................................................................................................................... 58 2 6.2 Effectiveness ................................................................................................................................. 59 6.3 Efficiency ....................................................................................................................................... 62 6.4 Sustainability ....................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Israeli Human Rights Violations and Hamas Support Ii Preface
    IIssrraaeellii HHuummaann RRiigghhttss VViioollaattiioonnss aanndd HHaammaass SSuuppppoorrtt RReesseeaarrcchhiiinngg PPeerrcceeppttiiioonnss ooff PPaallleessttiiinniiiaann rreeffuuggeeeess iiinn JJoorrddaann Lidwien Wijchers IIssrraaeellii HHuummaann RRiigghhttss VViioollaattiioonnss aanndd HHaammaass SSuuppppoorrtt RReesseeaarrcchhiiinngg PPeerrcceeppttiiioonnss ooff PPaallleessttiiinniiiaann rreeffuuggeeeess iiinn JJoorrddaann Cover photo Lidwien Wijchers Banner in Irbid refugee camp, Jordan: “The Palestinian case and Jerusalem are always in the heart and consciousness of his Majesty the King” Lidwien Wijchers s0801240 Master Thesis Human Geography Center for International Conflict Analysis and Management Radboud University Nijmegen Supervisor: Dr. S. Vukovic Second Reader: Dr. J. Wagemakers July 2013 Israeli Human Rights Violations and Hamas Support ii Preface This thesis is submitted as part of the Human Geography Master specialization Conflicts, Identities, and Territories at the Center of International Conflict Analysis and Management associated with the Radboud University Nijmegen. It is the result of fieldwork conducted in Jordan from August 2012 until March 2013. Throughout the process of writing this thesis, many people have been of help to me. Not in the least the respondents of my questionnaire, and experts with whom I conducted interviews. I hereby express my appreciation to all of them. Furthermore, I would like to extend gratitude to Dr. Siniša Vukovic who supervised me through the writing stages of the thesis, and to my second reader Dr. Joas Wagemakers. Acknowledgment must also be given to Dr. Gearoid Millar, for his guidance in the initial stages of the project. Four other individuals deserve recognition. Lauren Salathiel and Mohamed el Atfy; thank you for your willingness to be sounding boards. Hashim Taani and Rakan Odeh, I am much indebted to you both for the amount of time and help you have selflessly given.
    [Show full text]
  • People's Perceptions from Jabal El-Hussein to Zarqa Camps. An
    Centre for Middle Eastern Studies People’s perceptions from Jabal el-Hussein to Zarqa camps. An analysis of access to water and inequalities in two Palestinian refugee camps of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies Author: Giorgia Gusciglio Advisor: Lina Eklund Examiner: Date: Spring 2018 1 Acknowledgments The accomplishment and realization of this thesis was possible thanks to the support of a variety of people who believed in me, not only during this last step towards finishing my studies, but throughout all my life. First and foremost, my parents and my sister Michela who have been accepting all the crazy choices I made, although with a bit of concern. I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices my parents did and their valuable guidance. I am deeply thankful for my grandparents, two of them left us last year, but the teachings and love they gave me will stay with me forever. To my big family goes all my love. To my best friends, Aurora and Mariavittoria, whose constant love, support and acceptance of who I am, despite time changed us, make me believe in true friendship. To Beatrice, Francesca and Marta, thank you for three beautiful years in Trento and for your friendship, contact and care since then, despite distance and Italian trains connections. This achievement was also possible thanks to those people I met since I started the Master at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University. The same interest and struggles we faced has brought us together, but what we built, I hope, is a long-lasting friendship.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Agriculture in Camp Communities: New Perspectives
    Urban agriculture in camp communities: new perspectives Recommendations for action for community-based projects in the scope of urban agriculture in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan Julia Mira Brennauer | Svenja Binz | Phil-Torben von Lueder Urban agriculture in camp communities: new perspectives Recommendations for action for community-based projects in the scope of urban agriculture in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan Julia Mira Brennauer | Svenja Binz | Phil-Torben von Lueder Eidesstattliche Versicherung Hiermit erklären wir, dass wir die vorliegende Arbeit selbstständig und eigenhändig sowie ohne unerlaubte fremde Hilfe und ausschließlich unter Verwendung der aufgeführten Quel- len und Hilfsmittel angefertigt haben. Berlin, den _____________________ (Julia Brennauer) _____________________ (Phil-Torben von Lueder) _____________________ (Svenja Binz) Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the exeptional help of Mahmood, Ah- med, Joker, Jalal, Hussein, Fadi and all camp inhabitants from Talbiyeh Camp, Husn Camp, Dheisheh Camp and Jerash Camp. Special thanks to Nico, Lisa, Don Fabianski, Nadja, Isa, Nina, Kilian and our lovely families for your unlimited support. We are particularly grateful for the openess and trust of all our interview partners. Special thanks to our supervisors Philipp Misselwitz (Habitat Unit), Emily Kelling and Martina Löw (Fachgebiet Planungs- und Architektursoziologie). List of abbreviations CBO – Community Based Organisation CBRC – Community Based Rehabilitation Center CBRC – Community
    [Show full text]
  • Palestinians; from Village Peasants to Camp Refugees: Analogies and Disparities in the Social Use of Space
    Palestinians; From Village Peasants to Camp Refugees: Analogies and Disparities in the Social Use of Space Item Type text; Electronic Thesis Authors Maraqa, Hania Nabil Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 25/09/2021 06:50:44 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/190208 PALESTINIANS; FROM VILLAGE PEASANTS TO CAMP REFUGEES: ANALOGIES AND DISPARITIES IN THE SOCIAL USE OF SPACE by Hania Nabil Maraqa _____________________ Copyright © Hania Nabil Maraqa 2004 A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2 0 0 4 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to all those who made this research a reality. Special appreciation goes to my advisor, Dennis Doxtater, who generously showed endless support and guidance.
    [Show full text]
  • Dissemination and Implementation of the E- MCH
    BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034885 on 9 March 2020. Downloaded from Open access Original research Dissemination and implementation of the e- MCH Handbook, UNRWA’s newly released maternal and child health mobile application: a cross- sectional study Seif Nasir,1,2 Ryunosuke Goto ,2,3 Akiko Kitamura ,4 Sahar Alafeef,2 Ghada Ballout,2 Majed Hababeh,2 Junko Kiriya,5 Akihiro Seita,2 Masamine Jimba5 To cite: Nasir S, Goto R, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Kitamura A, et al. Dissemination Objectives In April 2017, the United Nations Relief and and implementation of the e- Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East MCH Handbook, UNRWA’s newly ► This study is one of the first to evaluate factors as- (UNRWA) released the electronic released maternal and child Maternal and Child sociated with the dissemination and implementation health mobile application: a Health Handbook, the e- MCH Handbook application. One of mobile health interventions in the refugee setting. of the first mobile health (m- Health) interventions in a cross- sectional study. BMJ Open ► A limitation of this study is that technical barriers 2020;10:e034885. doi:10.1136/ refugee setting, the application gives pregnant women like the unavailability of the mobile application on bmjopen-2019-034885 and mothers access to educational information and health the iPhone was not taken into account in the regres- records on smartphones. This study investigated factors ► Prepublication history and sion analysis of application download. additional material for this associated with the dissemination and implementation of ► The questionnaires were distributed only to pregnant paper are available online.
    [Show full text]
  • REPORT of the Col\1MISSIONER-GENERAL of the UNITED NATIONS RELIEF and WORKS AGENCY for PALESTINE REFUGEES in the NEAR EAST
    REPORT OF THE COl\1MISSIONER-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST 1 Joly 1983-30 June 1984 GENERAL ASSEMBlY OFFICIAL RECORDS: THIRTY-NINTH SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 13 (A/39/13) UNITED NATIONS REPORT OF THE COl\1MISSIONER-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST 1 Joly 1983-30 June 1984 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL RECORDS: THIRTY-NINTH SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 13 (A/39/13) i 1 .,; J \ ;:.{ 1 1 JI 1 ,i 1 1 ':,j r J , j ~1 ;1 'J ,,1 i .j l, [ 1 ~ -, 1 1 f r UNITED NATIONS 1 l'i New York,1984 1 l'~ I~ l~ ~ !1 i f L L NOTE Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capitalletters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. In the present report, the term "West Bank" refers to the occupied West Bank of the Hashemite Kingdom ofJordan and the term "Jordan" refers to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan excluding the occupied West Bank, wherever it is necessary to differentiate between these two fields of the Agency's area cf operations. r [Oriqinal~ Arabic/EnqlisQ/French) [12 Septernber 1984] CONTENTS paraqraphs LE'rTER OF TRANSMITTAL ••••••••••••••••••••••••• "............................. vi LETTER FROM 'l'HE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND wORKS AGEI>X:Y FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST TO THE COMMIS SIONER-GENERAL •••••••••••••••••••• "................................... vii FOREWORD BY OLOF RYDBECK, OOMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF UNRWA ••••••••••••••••••••• ix Chapter REPORT OF THE COMMIS SIONER-GENERAL 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle East Briefing, Nr. 17: Mr. Abbas Goes to Washington
    Update Briefing Middle East Briefing N°17 Amman/Brussels, 24 May 2005 Mr Abbas Goes to Washington: Can He Still Succeed? I. OVERVIEW fares poorly in the second, and Israel's withdrawal is less than complete or serves to forestall meaningful political progress, his authority will be much undermined. A repeat As he visits Washington six months after his appointment of his 2003 premiership, in which Israeli intransigence, as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine U.S. neglect, and international passivity empowered Liberation Organisation (PLO) and more than 100 days Palestinian rivals to frustrate him, would be in prospect. after his election as President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is in a difficult While circumstances in 2005 differ, the challenges position. He has institutional and popular legitimacy for confronting Abbas and the Palestinian national movement his agenda, but remains in crucial respects a leader who are essentially unchanged: is finding it hard to rule. Making demands upon him is Improving daily life. Reversal of the economic legitimate, as Israel has justified security concerns. But crisis and restoration of law and order are immediate these should be matched by actions that empower him, priorities. The Palestinian consensus is that results including, where necessary making no less legitimate have been slow at best. Personal security has demands upon Israel. improved only marginally amid growing unrest by the poor and unemployed. Unless the PA can Enjoying international support Yasir Arafat could only rapidly translate institutional reforms in the security dream of at the end of his rule, Abbas has been no more and financial realms into achievements on the successful than Arafat in changing Israeli policies or ground, frustrated expectations will produce fundamentally altering the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
    A/51/13 United Nations Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 1 July 1995-30 June 1996 General Assembly Official Records · Fifty-first Session Supplement No. 13 (A/51/13) A/51/13 Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 1 July 1995-30 June 1996 General Assembly Official Records · Fifty-first Session Supplement No. 13 (A/51/13) United Nations · New York, 1996 NOTE Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. ISSN 0082-8386 [Original: English] [11 October 1996] CONTENTS Chapter Paragraphs Page LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ............................................ v LETTER DATED 22 SEPTEMBER 1996 FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST ADDRESSED TO THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL ....................... vii I. INTRODUCTION .......................................... 1 - 41 1 II. GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AGENCY PROGRAMMES ............. 42 - 80 16 A. Education ......................................... 42 - 51 16 B. Health ............................................ 52 - 62 20 C. Relief and social services ........................ 63 - 70 23 D. Income generation ................................. 71 - 75 26 E. Peace Implementation Programme .................... 76 - 80 28 III. FINANCIAL MATTERS ..................................... 81 - 98 31 A. Fund structure .................................... 81 - 87 31 B. Budget for the biennium 1996-1997 and biennial expenditure for 1994-1995 ......................... 88 - 89 32 C. Income and sources of funding ..................... 90 33 D. Current financial situation ....................... 91 - 98 33 IV. LEGAL MATTERS ......................................... 99 - 113 35 A.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Health
    2 department of health annual report 2014 www.unrwa.org 3 Please check the CD on the back cover 4 © UNRWA, 2015 This document is a formal publication of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and all rights are reserved by the Organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced and translated, in part or in whole, but not for sale or for use in conjunction with commercial purposes. The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document, including tables and maps, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Agency concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by UNRWA in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions accepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. 5 Table of contents Message of the UNRWA Commissioner-General and of the WHO Regional Director.................................................... 6 Foreword of the Director of Health.................................................................................................................................................... 7 Executive
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations For
    REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND \VOR K8 AGENCY FOR PALES1'INE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST 1 July 1973 - 30 June 1974 I GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFIGIAL REGORDS: TWENTY-NINTH SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 13 (A/9613) UNITED NATIONS I REPORT OF TIIE COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF 'THE UNIrrED NATIONS , RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY r • FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EA8T 1 July 1973 - 30 June 1974 GENERAL ASSEMBUv OFFICIAL RECORDS: TWENTY-NINTH SESSION SUPPLEMENT No. 13 (A/9613) UNITED NATiONS New York, 1974 NOTE Symbols .01' U~ited Nationsdocumenta ate composed 01' capitul lottcrs combincd with figures. Mcntion ot such a symbol indlcates u rcfcrcll~c lo a Umted Nations documen l. /Original: Arabic/English/French7 CONTENT8 i I I Letter of transmittal ••••••••..••••• v I Letter from the Chairman of the Advisory Commission of the 1 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine 1 Refugees in the Near East ••••••.•••.••••• vii ! Paragraphs I 1 INTRODUCTION 1 - 47 1 Finance and management . 13 - 19 6 I l General operations . 20 - 29 8 j Health . .. .. 30 - 33 11 Education . 31~ - 38 12 I Relations with other organs of the United Nations system . 39 - 43 13 Assistance from voluntary agencies and other non-~overrunental organizations • 44 - 46 14 Conclusion ....••.. 47 15 Chapter 1. REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY FROM 1 JULY 1973 TO 30 JUNE 1974 . 48 - 191 16 A. Relief services 49 - 79 16 ~ Eligibility, registration and basic rations 50 57 16 Camps and shelters .• 58 - 72 18 j Welfare 73 - 79 21 B. Health services 80 - 115 22 Control of communicable diseases • 88 - 91 23 I Maternal and child health 92 103 24 I Environmental health 104 - 106 ··,26 Nutrition including supplementary feeding 107 - 113 27 Medical and para-medical education and training 114 - 115 28 I -iii- I .~.'.ltti'4ltWJi4t8tl n_'4.
    [Show full text]
  • Sanctuary in the City? Urban Displacement and Vulnerability in Amman
    Sanctuary in the city? Urban displacement and vulnerability in Amman Sara Pavanello with Simone Haysom HPG Working Paper March 2012 hpg Humanitarian Policy Group About the authors Sara Pavanello and Simone Haysom are Research Officers in the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the many people and organisations who contributed in numerous ways to this study, including the provision of documents and materials and revisions of drafts. Particular thanks to Géraldine Chatelard (UNESCO), Yorgos Kapranis (ECHO), Amra Nuhbegovic and Arafat Jamal (UNHCR), Lucas Oesch (Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies), Thomas Thomsen (DANIDA), and Peter Van Der Auweraert (IOM). The authors are especially grateful to Kate Washington (CARE Jordan) for her invaluable support, particularly during the finalisation of the report. Many thanks to Matthew Foley for his expert editing of the report. This study was funded primarily by DANIDA through HPG’s Integrated Programme (IP). A full list of IP funders is available at www.odi.org.uk/hpg/integratedprogramme. ODI gratefully acknowledges this financial support. Humanitarian Policy Group Overseas Development Institute 111 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7JD United Kingdom Tel: +44(0) 20 7922 0300 Fax: +44(0) 20 7922 0399 Website: www.odi.org.uk/hpg Email: [email protected] ISBN: 978-1-907288-53-1 © Overseas Development Institute, 2012 Readers are encouraged to quote or reproduce materials from this publication but, as copyright holders, ODI requests due acknowledgement and a copy of the publication. This and other HPG Reports are available from www.odi.org.uk/hpg.
    [Show full text]
  • Palestine's Arab Population: the Demography of the Palestinians
    PALESTINE'S ARAB POPULATION: THE DEMOGRAPHY OF THE PALESTINIANS EDWARD HAGOPIAN AND A.B. ZAHLAN* Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/jps/article-pdf/3/4/32/165940/2535449.pdf by guest on 03 September 2020 INTRODUCTION The Palestinian people' have long been subjected to a wide variety of exploitative actions for reasons almost as diverse as the actions themselves. Although they have not withstoodthe multifariousforces well, the Palestinians have gradually become aware of the need to examine themselvesin a rational and pragmatic manner in order to survivethe weapons in the arsenals of their enemies. Since science begins wherever one can formulate a problem in numbers, the science of the Palestinians begins with their numbers. This paper deals with Palestinian demography and human geography. The study of demography provides invaluable informationon a society, adding an importantdimension to its history,and at the same time providing options for its future. The size, structureand natural rates of growth of a people provide importantguidelines to its capabilities and human resources. Its birth rate, infant mortality and life span indicate fairly clearly what measures for improvement must be taken in the health and medical fields, while the degree of access to education and the rates of graduation inform thoseconcerned withits potentialhow to develop a more secure and productive community. The Palestinian people have rarely taken stock of their strengthsor weaknesses,and have thusbeen unable to chart any course of action to mobilize their potential. They have overlooked the importance of such studies, and * Edward Hagopian is a graduatestudent at the AmericanUniversity of Beirut. A.
    [Show full text]