WUNRN
PALESTINE - WEST BANK - Interview with
Janet Mikhael, Mayor of Ramallah
"Women are very insightful on how to run a city, ensure its
improvement and cleanliness and take care of supporting women, children and
families, through cultural centers, parks, and social projects."
iKNOW Politics: Ms. Janet Mikhael,
you are the first female mayor in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.What
challenges have you faced as a woman in a leadership position?How have your
background and prior experience helped you?
Janet Mikhael: First,I would like to thank iKNOW Politics for its interest in
Palestinian women. In fact, Palestinian women have made considerable progress
to access decision-making positions, successfully working with men, fulfilling
all the tasks at hand and proving their competence.
It was not easy for me to be the first woman to become mayor of a
major city such as Ramallah. However, Ramallah is a liberal and open-minded
city that is home to educated citizens, and that helped me access this
position. I was also the principal of a distinguished high school, and dealing
with parents and citizens greatly consolidated my ability to lead the city
council.
I have faced many challenges, namely:
- Tremendous pressure to relinquish the mayor’s seat or share it
with other parties, but I refused out of respect for voters.
- Intimidation and threats.
- Traditions undermining the role of women in society and
declaring their inability to be in public positions. This position was adopted
by a restricted group, but I ignored these attempts as I was confident and
ambitious.
- Israeli occupation limits our ability to implement our plans.
- Political instability which posed a challenge, but today the
situation is much better.
- The city council was not institutionalized, and its staff could
not adapt to the requirements of fast city expansion. The structural change,
staff training, and recruitment of new skilled staff helped to overcome these
challenges, in addition to our social participation, field visits,
communication with citizens, consultations and continuous workshops. It was
also through determination, confidence, perseverance, faith and passion for my
job that I was able to overcome obstacles. However, several still lie ahead.
I ran in the elections as I loved and wanted to improve my city
and my parents, friends and colleagues encouraged me. The 2005 elections were
crucial and garnered enthusiasm as they were held under the Palestinian
National Authority’s mandate and for the first time in 30 years. These
elections were democratic, yet witnessed a strong battle between blocs. I
strongly benefited in the elections from my former experience as principal of a
distinguished high school and from my wide knowledge.
iKNOW Politics: In your opinion, what are the things women candidates should be
aware of? What piece of advice would you share with women candidates running
with limited resources in male-dominated societies?
Janet Mikhael: A woman candidate should be fully aware of the tasks awaiting
her. She should undergo training, study all the relevant laws and regulations
and have self-confidence. She should also treat everyone equally and according
to the law, and commit before people to habits and traditions. However, she
should also prove herself and disregard rumors, especially degrading rumors. I
believe women can prove themselves only through legal and successful work,
which also needs efforts and sacrifice.
iKNOW Politics: Would you kindly inform our readers of one particular change you
have proudly achieved as Ramallah mayor, that benefited women and continues to
resonate?
Janet Mikhael: Palestinian women triumphed in local governance; that is
the most important change for me. I am proud to be a Palestinian woman who has
broken traditions and was elected mayor of the most important city council in
I am very proud of the strategic plan and projects implemented to
improve the city. We have particularly changed the old concept of the city
council, which was perceived as a citizen-oriented service provider. Town
councils are today providing several cultural services and local and
international contributions, which made Ramallah world renowned and transformed
it into a distinguished cultural center, in addition to its political status.
iKNOW Politics: You were the first woman to occupy the position of mayor. What
is the importance of a woman being in such a leadership position? Do you think
you have brought a new dimension to the position, being a woman?
Janet Mikhael: Having a woman in the mayor’s seat is highly important for
several reasons:
First, it highlights the importance of the Palestinian woman and
is an acknowledgement of her long battle alongside men during the Palestinian
crisis. Palestinian women have sons, brothers and husbands who are martyrs and
political prisoners. When men are away, imprisoned or martyred, women are in
charge of the political realm and society.
Second, my election broke traditions in local governance. Women
are very insightful on how to run a city, ensure its improvement and
cleanliness and take care of supporting women, children and families, through
cultural centers, parks, and social projects. I think the focus on
environmental and improvement projects added a new dimension to the city.
iKNOW Politics: Do you think that joining a global network such as iKNOW
Politics might help women leaders to achieve success and mobilize their
supporters on issues of common interest?
Janet Mikhael: In fact, joining networks and sharing experiences with other
women will contribute to spreading knowledge. No matter how educated you are, you
will still benefit from other people’s experiences. For example, I used to
think that European women were perhaps stronger and more active. But,
experience has proven that we have common interests and that they are not
stronger or more experienced. As Palestinian women, we are very active and we
can benefit from and be useful to other women around the world. Palestinian
women are very active and have as much experience as I have, even more.
iKNOW Politics: If you were to give one advice to iKNOW Politics members, namely
women candidates and leaders, what would it be?
Janet Mikhael: Be confident, trust your knowledge, and be honest in your
actions. Treat everyone equally and with transparency, respecting different
opinions.