In December 1977, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace in recognition that securing peace, social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights requires the active participation, equality and development of women. It also acknowledged the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.
This year, ESCWA Staff Council chose to celebrate International Women’s Day, held annually on 8 March, by hosting a special screening of the film “Kingdom of Women” by Palestinian director Dana Abu Rahme at the UN House in Beirut. The screening was followed by a discussion with the film’s director.
Kingdom of Women stems from an oral history project initiated by the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts with women of the Ein El Hilweh Camp in south Lebanon,” said the Chair of ESCWA Staff Council Naela Haddad in her presentation of the movie. “The film pays tribute to women for rising up to meet the challenges they face, and to the active roles these women assumed, contributing to social cohesion, organization, peace and security.”
The film tells the story of seven women in the Palestinian refugees’ camp in the southern Lebanese port city Saida in the aftermath of the 1982 Israeli invasion of the country. The film captures the community spirit of women as they set out to rebuild the camp, protect and provide for their families while men were held captive by Israelis. Weaving past and present, animation and daily life, the movie focuses on the lives of seven women during one of the most difficult periods faced by a Palestinian community in exile. It also reflects on the role of women in times of crisis and the different proactive roles they assume in overcoming hardship.
Kingdom of Women was produced in Lebanon in 2010 by the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts.
