The first meeting of the Palestine Arab Women's Congress took place at the home of Tarab Abdul Hadi in Jerusalem on 26 October 1929. This gathering marked the formal entry of Palestinian women into the organized political arena during the era of the British Mandate, establishing a precedent for national activism and social reform within the region.
Political Foundations and the PAWC
Born in 1910 in Jenin, Abdul Hadi engaged in political life alongside her husband, Awni Abd al-Hadi, a member of the Istiqlal party. As a co-founder of the Palestine Arab Women's Congress, she served on an executive committee comprised of fourteen women from prominent families, including the Husseinis, Alamis, Nashashibis, and Budeiris. The organization functioned to oppose the Zionist presence and provide tangible support to the broader national independence movement.
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The Palestine Arab Women's Congress focused on raising global awareness regarding the Palestinian situation through formal correspondence and telegrams. Beyond administrative activism, the group prioritized prisoner advocacy. This included managing fundraising efforts to assist families deprived of breadwinners due to British imprisonment and filing direct appeals to mandatory authorities to challenge the severity of existing judicial sentences.
Public Activism and the Arab Women's Association
Abdul Hadi maintained a dual involvement with the Arab Women's Association, which emerged as a leading feminist organization in 1929. In April 1933, she delivered a public address at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during a visit by British General Allenby. She criticized British governance and alleged betrayal, representing the grievances of female relatives of Arab victims. Parallel to these national efforts, she participated in a social movement advocating for the removal of the veil among Palestinian women.
Later Years
Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, the trajectory of Abdul Hadi's life shifted away from her homeland. She relocated to Cairo, Egypt, accompanying her husband. She remained in Cairo for the duration of her later years, where she eventually died in 1976 at the age of 66.
Fast facts
- Born: 1910, Jenin
- Died: 1976, Cairo
- Religion: Islam
- Primary Occupations: Political activist, social reformer, feminist
- Key Organization: Palestine Arab Women's Congress
- Spouse: Awni Abd al-Hadi
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1929 PAWC meeting?
Held at Abdul Hadi's home, it is recognized as the first instance of Palestinian women organizing within a formal political structure.
What actions did the PAWC take regarding political prisoners?
The committee worked to shorten prison sentences through appeals to British authorities and raised funds to support the families of those imprisoned.
