Maha Abu-Dayyeh

Overview

Maha Abu-Dayyeh Shamas born Palestine August 24, 1951 (d. 2015). Palestinian human rights leader; feminist. Co-founder and Director, Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, E. Jerusalem, 1991-2015. Received French Republic Human Rights Award, 1998; named Ms. Woman of the Year, 2002. Protested Israeli violence against women.

Quotations

“Peace is made between peoples and not between leaders. A process that should lead to a political solution that is sustainable and consequently permanent. . . should not be left to the confines of the generals, and should be transparent to the relevant societies. We have to address and understand each other’s history with an open mind. If we leave it only to men, we get Israeli generals and Palestinians who will not be defeated and there is no room to negotiate.” (No Women No Peace, 1000peacewomen; photo inclusivesecurity.org)