Traditions, Customs, and Social Norms and their Impact on the Development of Women in Palestinian Security Agencies

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of traditions, customs, and social norms on the development and performance of women working in the Palestinian security forces. The researcher adopted a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the social and cultural influences on women in this sector and used a questionnaire as a tool to collect data from a sample of (326) women. The results revealed that traditions and customs present a significant barrier to the advancement of women in security services, as they negatively affect their chances of promotion and confidence in their professional abilities, limiting their ability to effectively integrate into the workplace. The findings also showed that social and religious norms directly impact women’s professional performance, weakening their opportunities for promotion compared to their male colleagues. Based on these results, the study offered several recommendations, including enhancing community awareness campaigns to shift traditional perceptions of women’s roles in the security sector and launching training programs to improve the skills of female employees and boost their confidence. It also called for the development of policies within security institutions to ensure equal opportunities between genders in promotions and leadership positions, along with providing psychological and social support to women in overcoming societal and professional challenges.