West Bank's all-female ticket runs for change

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/10/20121019121116190333.html

Two years in the making the "Women of the Town" are campaigning and look to win the municipal elections that are going to be held in the West Bank of Palestine. For two long years these five women have been planning and developing their strategy for winning this election. They are one of two all women tickets running. After two years of boycotts and postponements it looks like these women might actually get to see their dreams of an election come true. They have been working on gaining their support of their community and changing the opinion of women in public office. It has not been easy of course but it looks like they may have a chance. Out of 4,700 people running for municipal seats 25 percent are women. The "women of the town" are campaigning for a  variety of reasons and the number one is probably city planning. Such things include drainage ditches, road improvement, and youth empowerment ( not just male youth). These women have taken on such a grave undertaking. Many sacrifices have been made and many members have been lost on the bases of ridicule and fear of family disownment. The undertaking is great and the women know this and they are willing and ready to take these consequences for what they feel to be right and just. The women know they might not win but that does not frighten them. they say that they have a plan and that is,  “We will create an all-woman shadow council that will ensure the local council works for our needs.”

Posted by: Katelyn Krumreich