This paper seeks to understand the core of the Palestinian Authority's policy toward women's rights by tracing the historical background of the ever-evolving concept of rights during the eras of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority. In this regard, the paper argues that both the PLO and the PA have used rights as a tool. The partial rights and liberties women have won during the national struggle are an attempt by the PLO to obtain national support from all segments of Palestinian society. Moreover, this paper argues that the PA followed in the PLO's footsteps by using rights as a tool for political gain. However, the different priorities of the PA's project led it to use the international diplomatic path, following the approach of other liberation movements, to urge the international community to recognize the Palestinian state. This approach led the PA to shift from gaining national support to directing its efforts toward obtaining the support of the international community. As a result, the partial rights women had acquired during the national struggle have been marginalised. Ultimately, this paper argues the status of women's rights deteriorated after the PA adopted an approach similar to other formerly colonised countries at the national level.