RAMALLAH, West Bank — The new Palestinian government formed by Mohammad Shtayyeh on April 13 has disappointed women's institutions by only appointing three women in ministerial positions. Out of 18 ministries only three now have a female minister, the same number as in the former government, which does not meet the 20% women’s quota set for local and legislative councils by the Local Council Elections Law No. 5 of 2004.
Since the 15th Palestinian government formed by Rami Hamdallah in 2013, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has been headed by a woman, while the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has always been an exclusive domain of women.