Paul Calvert spoke with Samya Abu Hmud from the Tawjeeh Center, about the issues women face in Palestinian culture, the need to educate people about their rights, and the problem of religion.



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Paul: Why do you do what you do?

Samya: Because we are trying to change society and we see how the problems are going worse.

Also, because we believe in woman and woman should take their part as a leader. They can be excellent leaders in society. We see in Palestinian society a big number of women, that they participated in very important occasions. You see this on the political side, in our association, social side, activists, political activists and social activists.

We want Palestinian society to go forward and not to go back.

Paul: Do you have many strong female leaders in Bethlehem?

Samya: Yes. I can give you for example, Rula Maayah, the Minister of Tourism. She is strong and she is working as an active woman. Also Vera Baboun the former Mayor.

So I can see in Bethlehem that we have cultured and educated women that are believing in their rights, and they took their space to work for the democracy of Palestine.

Paul: Are you making a difference?

Samya: Maybe not in a fast way, but I think that we are trying to change.

The people that we are working with, they are also taking the mission of Tawjeeh Center. They are believing in it and they are trying to work the same way as Tawjeeh Center.

Maybe we will see this change later, but we are planting the seeds.

Paul: What is your prayer for the future?

Samya: I hope that someday we will see the results of our work in having peace. First peace inside us and between us and then the global peace.

Paul: What is your Facebook page for people who would like to know more?

Samya: It's Tawjeeh Center.  CR

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