RAMALLAH, West Bank — The murder of Israa Gharayeb, a young Palestinian makeup artist from Bethlehem, by her family has placed violence against women firmly on the country’s agenda for the last two months.

The Palestinian feminist group Tala'at organized demonstrations in cities in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Germany Sept. 26. Women took to the streets to protest gender-based harassment, violence and abuse. They also called on their governments for new laws and better enforcement to protect women. 

Discrimination, violence and marginalization of women in Palestine, the region and beyond has also been taken up on the silver screen as the central theme of “Palestine Cinema Days,” an annual event organized by Palestine’s Filmlab, earlier this month. 

Filmlab: Palestine, established in 2014 in Ramallah, aims to promote the Palestinian film industry and offer a platform for Palestinian filmmakers to come together. Its annual international film festival as well as special screening events aim to showcase Palestinian cinema and explore areas of cooperation with the international film sector.