Interview by: Linda Livni
“Physicians for Human Rights works in the “back yards” of Israeli society, back yards that many don’t want to see, and don’t care about.”
Dr. Ruchama Marton, recipient of international awards for her work in human rights, does care, so in 1988 she founded “Physicians for Human Rights” which struggles for human rights and the right to health in Israel and its “back yards”. Why?
“We live in a society that chooses to live a life of deception: believing that Israelis are the only victims; that the long occupation is necessary for security; that we are a true democracy with no racism or xenophobia, no apartheid regime. …”
PHR’s Mobile Clinic is an important aspect of its work, bringing medical professionals – Israeli Jews, Christians and Muslims, to people and places in need. “Bringing together health workers from the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel is unique. We know of no other cooperation on the same scale in other fields and professions.”
Once a month PHR'S Mobile Clinic conducts Women’s Days. Medical staff and patients: WOMEN ONLY.
They are important because Palestinian women are sometimes the backyards of the backyards.
It seems contradictory but there are both empowerment and modesty issues: Special lectures on women’s health, breast cancer and other topics are given.
On the other hand, it’s important that women feel comfortable; they are examined and discuss problems with no male presence. Each month PHR medical staff sees about 150 women plus dozens more who get medications from the pharmacy.
Gynaecologist Dr. Mushira Abou Dia says: I think it’s a way of empowering women in Palestinian society. Because of the cultural and social boundaries, women are not free to do as they wish.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES IN WEST BANK AND ISRAEL?
”There are fewer sexual problems here as there is almost no pre-marital sex. But there’s another difference too. My first patient had not had an examination in 18 years.”
Jalela Hawajeh, head of Women’s Organization in Ni'eleen, helps her town get ready for medical days: “There is a health center here but it is open just 4 or 5 days a week Ni'eleen has 6000 residents; there is only one family doctor; a gynaecologist (usually male) comes once a week.”
DO YOU THINK THE POLITICAL SITUATION WILL BE RESOLVED?
Dr. Abou Dia: I’m 34 years old. Not in my lifetime.
SO WHY CONTINUE?
“It’s my way of protesting the occupation. Even if I’m tired after a shift (at Hadassah Medical Center), I come because it’s helping people. You see the other side and it’s encouraging.”
Ms. Hawajeh takes a practical view: “There are not enough doctors for the population and PHR supplements services. There is a Palestinian medical insurance service but the waiting list is long. It’s faster to get into Israel – permits help get through the checkpoints.”
Dr. Marton looks at it from broad perspective: “Within a year or two following the founding of PHR Israel, new NGOs led by women were established, making it clear that feminist activism had widened its scope from struggling strictly for women's rights to a new capacity in which the whole world was theirs to change.”