Amal Syam

Amal Syam (Arabic: آمال صيام) is a Palestinian women's rights advocate and the General Director of the Women's Affairs Center (WAC) in Gaza. She is involved in advancing gender equality, women's empowerment, and inclusive participation in policy processes in Palestine.

Early life and education Syam was born on October 16, 1969, in Gaza City. She holds a Master's degree in Business administration, with a specialization in Human resource management, from Al-Azhar University in Gaza.

Syam has also commented publicly on ceasefire implications and humanitarian conditions in Gaza in various interviews and international platforms. The Center opened a new office in Rafah to serve approximately 1.5 million displaced persons.

Her professional approach is grounded in principles of human rights, gender-transformative development, community engagement, environmental awareness, and disability inclusion. life skills, and project management working with staff from civil society organizations and youth groups as well as humanitarian professionals.

Human rights work under genocide The work of human rights defenders like Amal is described as "vital" by UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor. Carrying out such work while trying to survive a genocide and siege carries unique challenges.

Amal's husband was in Egypt on October 7th, 2023 when the Gaza war began, helping their daughter begin her university studies there, while another son was also working abroad. Her only other immediate family in Gaza is a son who works as a doctor in another area of the Gaza Strip, from whom she has been separated for months. She fled her family home which she was staying in alone following forced evacuation orders from the Israeli army, and went to live in the office of her workplace, with only one change of clothes. The family home was destroyed. She described herself as "lucky" to be able to eat one meal a day: canned beans and a piece of bread. Needs and priorities of women in crisis contexts

Syam's media appearances have included public interviews and commentary on women's roles in Conflict Zones and post-war reconstruction.