General Union of Palestinian Women

The General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW) was founded in 1965, and it operated as a unit under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that served as the only political representative of the people of Palestine. Established a year later than the PLO, the essential rationale of the GUPW was similar to that of the PLO: the liberation of Palestine. The main objective of the organization was to mobilize and organize Palestinian women toward the goal of an independent Palestine. Hence, it provided women with an opportunity to participate in the national struggle with Palestinian men.

During the initial years of the GUPW, the role of its members was confined to serving as caregivers to poor and needy Palestinians. The military aspect of the Palestine liberation movement ...