The Women's Affairs Technical Committee has achieved a great deal in 1996. Todate, tens of Palestinian women have participated in these radio broadcasts. We are also able to take driving lessons without being accompanied by a male chaperone. Thus, our basic human right to free mobility is improving. Thanks to the understanding of officials at the Ministry of Interior, widows are also now able to obtain passports for their children without needing to acquire the permission of a brother or father in law.
Women are also able to open bank accounts for their children, just as men can.
In WATC, women have worked together analyzing draft legislation. In particular, they looked at the draft Palestinian constitution which now emphasizes the principle of equality between man and woman. Because of the strong lobbying efforts of WATC and other women's institutions, the Civil Administration Law that will be finalized soon, has been amended to include ten weeks of maternity leave instead of six. It also included one hour of nursing a day and the possibility of obtaining one year without pay after giving birth. The retirement age for both men and women workers has also been unified at 60 years of age.