GENERAL UNION OF PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S COMMITTEES (GUPWC)

Organization that provides opportunities for women, undertakes family assistance, and organizes kindergartens.

The General Union of Palestinian Women's Committees (GUPWC) was established in 1965 under the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization. As such, it is the official representative body for Palestinian women around the world and encompasses all Palestinian women's organizations. The main goal of the union is to mobilize women to participate in social, economic, and political processes that will contribute to their development. The union is also politically active, supporting women in all aspects of the struggle for a Palestinian state, and at the nationalistic and social levels by providing leadership programs.

The GUPWC maintains a number of activities for women in order to integrate them into the labor force and raise cultural and health standards. Branches of the union are active throughout the Middle East and also in the United States, the Netherlands, and England. It has established vocational training centers and educational institutions in Palestinian refugee camps and holds classes to eradicate illiteracy. It also maintains nurseries and kindergartens so that women are able to partake in the union's activities and programs. Local specialized committees handle various activities and programs sponsored by the union.

See also Palestine; Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Bibliography

General Union of Palestinian Women. Available from <http://www.gupw.net>.

Mallika Good