They both started their assignment as leaders on 1 April this year, however this is not the only thing Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), Mona Khalil, and EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission (HoM), Karin Limdal, have in common. Within the respective lines of work, when it comes to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, these two women, who met for the first time in Ramallah, on 10 July, do mean business, and hands on.

During the meeting, the Palestinian Minister made EUPOL COPPS’ HoM aware that she is familiar with the Mission’s activities, expressing appreciation for the work done – and in the making – for enhancing women’s role and career advancement in the security and justice sectors.

Minister Khalil expressed willingness to cooperate with EUPOL COPPS, not least, in the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, sharing about plans to promote quotas for women in decision-making positions, including within the justice sector and the police.

Among other topics of discussion, the review and the harmonisation of legislation, including in relation to international laws and conventions, newly proposed legislation, for example on combatting human trafficking, women’s political participation and awareness raising, including on legal aid for women. The Minister also touched upon the impact of the current circumstances on women and children and the related existing coordination with NGOs active all over Palestine.

In expressing the Mission’s willingness to increase cooperation with MoWA, HoM Limdal underlined the importance of the family protection law, of increasing women participation in the security sector, and the related support from men in leadership positions towards women’s professional networks.

Minister Khalil defined MoWA as a “cross-cutting” ministry, explaining about its close cooperation with other ministries including labor, health, economy, education, and interior.

EUPOL COPPS Gender advisor also joined the meeting, as similarly, Gender (and also Human Rights) domains are cross cutting issues in the Mission’s activities, as these refer to values inspiring EU Crisis Management Mission’s actions as a whole.