ADWAR implemented its first activity within the project, which is an opening educational meeting entitled “Wadi Al Quff reservation Guards, Reality and Job Opportunities). This meeting aimed to introduce the main environment problems for the reserve and to highlight women’s roles in treating different wastes to improve the reserve aesthetic and healthy appearance. The meeting was held in the presence of representatives of all partners and a large number of honored audience.
At first, Tarqumia Mayor, Mr. Fakhri Tanineh stated how such a project is important to Wadi Al Quff reserve, and Tarqumia and Beit Kahel citizens as the reserve is considered a natural park for people in Hebron in general and Tarqumia and Beit Kahel specifically where they enjoy their time. As well, he affirmed the importance of women’s role in protecting the reserve.
Moreover, the general director of ADWAR, Ms. Sahar Alkwasmeh emphasized the importance of the project as it aims to institutionalize three active women councils play a role in protecting the reserve’s aesthetic appearance, and establishing small environment income-generating projects, in which contribute in recycling different wastes to preserve the natural heritage and appearance of the reserve, as well as improvement of women’s economic situation.
Besides, the National coordinator of Global Environment Facility GEF/ Small Grants Programme SGP / United Nation Development Programme UNDP, pointed out the importance of the role the programme in protecting the Palestinian environment through several environmental projects including (Palestinian Environment Guards) in partnership with ADWAR.
In addition, the member of Beit Kahel Municipality, Mr. Yousef Afafrah highlighted the role of Beit Kahel Municipality in working hand in hand with “Natural Reserve Guards” to protect the reserve and get rid of different wastes, which negatively affect the reserve.
Also, the representative of Ministry of Agriculture the director of the Technical Department in Hebron Directorate of Agriculture, Mr. Fadel Mahariq explained the main problems Wadi Al Quff reserve face, especially regarding agriculture. Besides, he emphasized the role of people, especially women in protecting the reserve from unsound assaults against the reserve.
As the representative of Environment Quality Authority, Ms. May Rahhal showed that these problems do not only affect women but also the local community and negatively affect plants and animals in the reserve. As well, she stressed on the local community’s role, which contributes in protecting the reserve and the Palestinian land.
Furthermore, the representative of Tarqumia Women Charitable Organization, Ms. Mirnan Qabaja affirmed the organization’s role in changing Tarqumia people traditions in order to protect the reserve and adapting the positive behavior towards the natural reserve.
Additionally, the president of Tarqumia women Club showed the role in which Tarqumia women will play in protecting the reserve through enhancing the idea of hiking that increases Tarqumia and Beit Kahel people’s affiliation towards the land.
Similarly, the president of Cooperative Association for Saving and Credit-Beit Kahel, Arwa Attawneh pointed out the importance of women’s role in protecting the reserve and the necessity of enhancing the role of the government, municipalities and specialized sectors and accountable them to work together in protecting the reserve.
Furthermore, the meeting included a poem entitled “Palestine” recited by the girl named Jenan.
At the end, it was emphasized on preparing a shared plan between partners and women to implement several activities, which contribute in protecting the reserve and achieve the project objectives.
Governorate
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