As part of the closing activities of the project "Promoting Gender Equality and Protecting Children from Violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip" implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Palestine with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the organization held its closing ceremony on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Bethlehem. The event was attended by representatives of government ministries, partner organizations, and civil society institutions, in addition to a number of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine staff.

The ceremony opened with remarks by Mrs. Ghada Hirzallah, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Palestine, who emphasized the importance of the project and the services provided to families in Gaza and the West Bank. She also expressed her gratitude to all partners for their support throughout the project period. A speech from the partner institutions was delivered by Ms. Sabrine Swalha, who thanked SOS Children’s Villages Palestine for the project and the fruitful cooperation, expressing hope that this collaboration would continue in the future.

During the event, Mr. Tony Biro, the Project Manager, delivered a speech in which he thanked the project team in Gaza and the West Bank, partner institutions, and government ministries. He also presented the achievements of the project, supported by visuals of the activities. Among the highlights, a specialized center was established in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, offering psychosocial counseling, legal consultations, and awareness workshops. The center’s team received capacity-building training to better address cases of violence, serving more than 107 families from the area.

Additionally, two centers were established to provide social support services in North Gaza and Hebron, and the capacities of 8 community centers in both the West Bank and Gaza were built to enable them to prevent or reduce violence and promote equality. Over 224 families from Bethlehem and Hebron were supported through these centers. The project also enhanced the knowledge and skills of more than 180 professionals from governmental and civil society institutions in child protection, women's empowerment, and child and women's rights.

Furthermore, several participants from Gaza and the West Bank shared their inspiring experiences during the event, discussing how they joined the project and how they personally benefited from the training sessions and activities held throughout the implementation period.

Partner associations in the project include: Al-Mustaqbal Charitable Society, Gaza Group for Culture and Development, Family Development Charitable Association, Al-Ata'a Charitable Society in Gaza Strip, along with Women’s Activity Association-Hebron, Nahdet Bint Al-Reef Charitable Society, Halhoul Women’s Association, and Rural Women’s Development Association in the West Bank.