Reflecting its commitment to promoting inclusive and effective local governance, the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) organized a focused training session via Zoom. Titled Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Services, the training aimed to enhance local government units (LGU) tools to design and implement services that take account of community diversity and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the principles of social justice, particularly in light of mounting social, institutional, and economic challenges.

The training session brought together representatives from several LGUs, including members of the Gender and Inclusion Taskforce, as well as public service officials from the participating LGUs. Delivered by Hasan Mahariq, a local governance expert, the training outlined strategies for integrating gender considerations into local planning and service provision. It also highlighted structural and cultural barriers that limit access to services for marginalized groups, such as women and persons with disabilities, and hinder their participation in decision-making processes.

This training is part of APLA’s broader approach to embedding a culture of inclusion as a core component of local governance. It seeks to empower member LGUs to develop more equitable development policies, strengthen institutional capacities to address social disparities, and incorporate the concepts of inclusion and social justice into local planning. The training is one activity of the APLA Taskforce for the Inclusion of Marginalized Groups in LGUs, implemented in partnership between APLA and GIZ Local Governance Reform Program.