As part of the global #16DaysOfActivism campaign, EUPOL COPPS brought together Palestinian institutions, civil society, and diplomats to reinforce the Palestinian National Referral System and improve protection pathways for women and children, in a workshop held in Ramallah on 3 December.

Amid rising insecurity, displacement, and limited access to services, protection needs are greater than ever. EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission (HoM), Karin Limdal, stressed: “Protection is an obligation, not an option. Justice is a right, not a privilege.”

Through real case discussions, the workshop highlighted both the strengths of Palestine’s protection system and the areas where urgent reinforcement is needed.

Despite the effective coordination among partners, modern risk-assessment tools, and emergency interventions providing lifesaving support, gaps remain. Survivors still hesitate to enter shelters, follow-up is inconsistent, economic empowerment pathways remain limited, and many institutions lack trained protection guides to manage complex Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases.

In her remarks, Mrs. Karin Limdal, underscored that EUPOL COPPS’ mandate, focusing on rule of law, policing, and justice reform, sits at the heart of an effective, rights-based and survivor-centered protection system.

EUPOL COPPS’ HoM reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to strengthening the Palestinian Civil Police’s capacity for safe reporting, confidentiality, and professional GBV investigations; reinforcing police-prosecution coordination; revitalising the National Referral System; advancing gender-responsive policing and advocating for sustainable, predictable funding so services remain accessible and survivors can obtain justice.

These priorities form the backbone of a stronger, more accountable protection framework, one that upholds dignity, safety, and rights for women and children across Palestine.