3/20/2025 2:43:00 PM
Writer : Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture
The world celebrates Mother’s Day on March 21 each year, a special occasion to express appreciation and respect for the great role that mothers play in raising generations and shaping societies. A mother is a symbol of giving and sacrifice; she is the foundation of the family and community, dedicating her efforts to instilling values and morals in her children.
In Palestine, Mother’s Day takes on a deeper and more impactful significance due to the difficult circumstances Palestinian mothers endure under occupation and the harsh realities it imposes. The Palestinian mother is not only a caretaker of her family but also a model of resilience and defiance. She bears immense responsibilities, often in the forced absence of fathers, whether due to imprisonment or martyrdom. Palestinian mothers have set the greatest examples of sacrifice—they are the mothers of martyrs, the wives of prisoners, and the pillars of households who raise their children with love for their homeland and the strength to withstand challenges.
They also contribute to the struggle in various ways, whether through community activism or by standing steadfastly beside their children in the face of oppression.
Beyond their role in resistance, Palestinian mothers carry the responsibility of preserving national and cultural identity by raising a generation deeply rooted in its land and heritage. They work tirelessly to instill a love for education and perseverance in their children despite economic hardships and restrictions on movement and schooling. The Palestinian mother remains a symbol of steadfastness, planting hope in the hearts of her children so they may become the builders of the future.
Data from the center indicates that the number of Palestinian women engaged with since March 2024 has reached 927, among whom 510 women have been directly affected by house demolitions and ongoing bombings or have lost loved ones to martyrdom. Additionally, according to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-detainees’ Affairs, the number of Palestinian female prisoners has risen to 26 this month. These figures reflect the immense suffering that Palestinian women endure daily, carrying the burdens of loss and displacement. Yet, despite these hardships, they remain steadfast, leading their families with hope and strength. These women are not just numbers; they are real stories of pain and perseverance—mothers, wives, and sisters who find in challenges a path to continue and in community solidarity a means of resistance and rebuilding what has been destroyed.
On this day, it is essential to acknowledge the tremendous role that mothers play everywhere, especially Palestinian mothers, who embody the highest meanings of sacrifice and patience. A tribute of appreciation and respect to every Palestinian mother and to every mother who plants hope and shapes the future despite all challenges.
