Economy / Employment - Palestinian Authority - Association

Discrimination against women in the case of opening bank accounts for their children

31.03.2016 / Created by (EMWF)

In Palestine, according to the Act No. 8/2009, banks do not allow mothers to open bank accounts for their children, arguing that it is illegal. All banks are subject to the regulations and instructions issued by the Monetary Authority, including opening accounts for men, women and children..... This Act is, therefore, discriminatory since the only person who can open a bank account for a minor is the father. Thus, the Women’s Centre directly worked with the Monetary Authority in Palestine. After the lobbying done, the Authority issued a formal letter to all general managers and regional banks to emphasize that the mother may open an account for a minor, according to internal working procedures, banks policies, and the instruction of the Monetary Authority No. (08/2009) Date of 24/12/2009. Furthermore, such instruction emphasizes the need for the banks staff to provide necessary clarification to the mother upon request to open an account on behalf of a minor and make them aware of all the legal aspects related to its process.This practice was identified within the framework of the pilot action of mobilization of equality actors on local level in the Northern and Southern regions of Palestine in 2015. This action is part of the Axis 1 "Strengthening the capacity of equality actors” of the project “Women for the future in the Mediterranean” funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the project “Developing Women Empowerment” labelled by the Union for the Mediterranean.

Organization

Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling

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