Locations
Sawasya III Joint Programme- Reinforcing Equal Access to Justice for all Palestinians
Project Summary
Sawasya III is a five-year joint programme designed to reinforce equal access to justice for all Palestinians. Building on the success of Sawasya I (2014-2017) and II (2018-2023), Sawasya III is a five-year joint programme designed to reinforce equal access to justice for all Palestinians. The programme seeks to support the Palestinian government in establishing a protective, inclusive, and responsive justice system that honours human rights and promotes gender equality. It is tailored to address the specific needs in various areas of the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem, Hebron 2, and the Gaza Strip.
Sawasya I and II targeted specific bottlenecks in justice and security service provision, supporting all relevant Palestinian government institutions and civil society organizations.
Bringing together the main UN entities aiming to maximize the impact through a “delivering-as-one” approach, Sawasya III utilizes the combined strengths of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the rule of law and human rights, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in mainstreaming gender equality standards, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in protecting and advancing the rights of children.
The Sawasya III programme places the rights, needs, and experiences of individuals, particularly women, and children, at the heart of people-centred justice interventions. By shifting from a traditional rule of law to a more people-centred approach, the programme addresses the practical barriers individuals encounter in accessing fair and impartial justice. It emphasizes access to quality services, responsive and accountable institutions, and inclusive justice for women and children. This shift fully aligns with the UNSDCF (2023-2025) goal of achieving equal opportunities and human rights for all Palestinians within a cohesive, democratic, and inclusive society, as envisioned in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To ensure a long-lasting impact, Sawasya III mobilizes state institutions, civil society, and relevant actors. With broad-based commitment from justice, security and protection institutions, civil society and development partners.
Main Objective
Sawasya III aims to advance the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 16 (Peaceful and Inclusive Societies) and 5 (Gender Equality), by promoting the rule of law, equal access to justice, accountable and transparent institutions, and non-discriminatory policies aimed at ending discrimination, violence, impunity, and harmful practices against women and children.
Joint Programme outcomes:
Overall goal:
People in the State of Palestine, especially women and children, have access to justice in a protective, inclusive, and responsive system that promotes, respects, and fulfils human rights and gender equality.
Outcome 1: People, particularly those at risk, have improved access to high-quality services relating to their legal, psychosocial, protection, and security needs.
Outcome 2: People are served by responsive institutions that have strengthened their capacity to operate in an effective, efficient, people-centred, and accountable manner.
Outcome 3: Societal and institutional behaviours and attitudes that uphold human rights, gender equality, and equity principles are embraced.
Outcome 4: Women’s access to gender-responsive and inclusive justice, security, and protection services is strengthened.
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Outcomes
UNSDCF Outcome 2: Palestinians, including the most vulnerable, have equal access to sustainable, inclusive, gender-responsive, and quality social services, social protection, and affordable utilities.
UNSDCF Outcome 3: Palestinian governance institutions, processes, and mechanisms at all levels are more democratic, rights-based, inclusive, and accountable.
| Geographic Coverage: | West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip |
Partners
Donors/ Development Partners | High Judicial Council (Co-chair), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Attorney General Office, Supreme Judge Department, local CSOs, universities, and the Palestinian Bar Association.
The government of the Netherlands, Sweden, the Spanish Cooperation for Development, the European Union, and the Government of Canada. |
| Sustainable Development Goal/s: | Gender Equality (SDG 5), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) |
| Project Manager: | Simon Ridley, Sawasya III Joint Programme Manager +972(54)8757756 |
