PA government has delayed reform of laws to protect women for 16 years

Sabah Salama, coordinator of the Forum for Combating Violence Against Women:"The Penal Code of 1960 in the West Bank does not provide protection for the Palestinian woman. The Family Protection from Violence Law has been on the [PA] government's table for over 16 years, and its inaction [on the matter] also contributes to the exacerbation of this phenomenon and contributes to the violation of these women's right to life. Therefore, this [family protection] mechanism must be activated. The personal status law must be amended, the Penal Code must be amended, and the draft law for family protection from violence must be approved... It is not logical that the lives of Palestinian women and families are in danger and the laws and the legislator do not provide them with protection."

[Voice of Palestine Radio, Facebook page, July 13, 2026]