Evaluation Of Services And Programs Provided To Abused Women Residing In Shelters Under The Ministry Of Social Development In The Northern Governorates Of Palestine from Their Perspective

Abstract

The study aimed to Evaluation Of Services And Programs Provided To Abused Women Residing In Shelters Under The Ministry Of Social Development In The Northern Governorates Of Palestine from Their Perspective. To achieve this objective, the descriptive-analytical approach was adopted. The study population consisted of all abused women residing in these care homes in 2024, totaling 344 women who had received support and assistance over a five-year period (2020–2024), according to official statistics from the Ministry of Social Development in the northern governorates of Palestine for the year 2024. A sample of 200 women was selected, and a structured questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The results demonstrate that the effectiveness of the services and programs provided to abused women residing in care shelters under the Ministry of Social Development in the northern governorates of Palestine was generally high. These services proved to be essential—rather than optional—in addressing various forms of domestic violence, particularly social, verbal, and physical abuse. The findings revealed statistically significant differences in the evaluation of service effectiveness based on variables such as age, marital status, household income, length of stay in the shelter, and the number of abuse incidents. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to educational attainment or place of residence, indicating a level of inclusivity and consistency in service quality regardless of educational or geographic background. These outcomes highlight the need for tailored programs that respond to diverse individual experiences and degrees of engagement with care institutions. They also underscore the importance of psychological and economic empowerment as well as the sustainability of support—especially for women who have experienced prolonged or repeated abuse. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the critical value of evaluating service effectiveness through the perspectives of the women themselves to ensure inclusive policies that align with lived realities. This positions the current study as a valuable professional reference for understanding how women’s demographic and experiential characteristics influence their utilization of institutional services within the Palestinian context. The study recommended the need to strengthen and expand programs and services targeting domestic violence, along with providing continuous psychological and social support for abused women in care homes in the northern governorates of Palestine. It also emphasized the importance of developing programs tailored to different age groups, particularly older women who may struggle to adapt to current services. In addition, the study highlighted the need for comprehensive legal consultations and social support for married and separated women, as well as the reinforcement of economic empowerment programs that support their financial independence. Finally, the researcher proposed conducting future studies to compare the impact of different environments on program effectiveness, examine the influencing socio-economic factors, assess the long-term impact of the provided services, and explore the effect of staff training in care homes on the quality of support offered to abused women.