2 - 8 May 2002
Issue No.584
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 2 - 8 May 2002 Issue No.584 |
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By women for women
Egyptian women are mobilising in support of their Palestinian sisters. Reem Leila reports
The continuing atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians has spurred Egyptian women's organisations to solidarity action. The National Council for Women (NCW) organised a fund-raising dinner recently which Secretary-General of the NCW Farkhonda Hassan says included a lottery. It netted nearly LE5.5 million which will be added to the donations collected by the NCW in a bank account it has opened with the National Bank of Egypt to receive donations aimed at "supporting the struggle of the Palestinian women."
Another fund-raising initiative was the collaboration between the NCW and Egypt Telecom and Tele Media in setting up a hotline service aimed at raising funds in support of Palestinian women. "The council is seriously considering activating this service within the upcoming few days. By dialing the service, callers automatically donate LE2.99 and hear a recorded message explaining the purpose behind the fund-raising campaign," Hassan explained.
Another fund-raising move organised by the NCW was contributing one day's pay by the council's employees. "These grants will be given to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, which in turn will deliver them to the Palestinian Red Crescent," she added.
The Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW) is another womens' group that has embarked on Palestine solidarity action. According to ADEW's Iman Bibars, the association has worked alongside five other feminist NGOs in organising convoys that have carried food supplies, medicine and blankets to the Palestinians and especially Palestinian women who are in dire need of such aid. The ADEW collects these donations from individuals and other organisations and delivers them to Palestinian Authority representatives at Rafah.
At the moment, ADEW is still trying to secure the entry of its convoy which includes 650 tons of food and half a million Egyptian pounds worth of medicine. "To date, the supplies are still waiting on the Egyptian side of the border," added Bibars who noted that "There are backlogs from earlier convoys that were sent by the ADEW and other NGOs."
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) agreed to set aside $10 million to help Palestinian women and children -- the most affected by the present situation.
The Women and Society Association (WSA) coordinated with the Ministries of Health, Social Affairs and Education as well as with the Giza Governorate in collecting LE450,000 worth of supplies for Palestinian women. According to the WSA's Seham Negm, the association is running a two- day campaign for blood donation by Egyptian citizens. Each and every one of the WSA's 250 employees has donated 10 days' pay in support of the cause.
A girl protests Israeli violence at the demonstrations that took place last Friday at Al-Azhar Mosque
(photo: Sherif Sonbol)
"The WSA has also prepared a list of all bank accounts opened in support of the Palestinian people and is distributing it to all those who may want to donate money in support of Palestinian women and children," explained Negm.
Again, all humanitarian supplies are "handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society for delivery to the Palestinian Red Crescent via the International Red Cross. All that we hope for is that the Israeli authorities will allow these commodities to pass the borders and reach the Palestinian victims," says Negm.
Everyone complains that no matter how much assistance they are able to collect, the Israeli government summarily refuses the entry of humanitarian aid. "What the Israelis have been doing since their invasion to the Palestinian territories is to deny the Palestinian people our donations of food, medicine and other supplies from Egypt," she added.
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