An Islamic Relief aid worker* in Gaza describes women living in tents undergoing operations without medical aftercare, and using rags because sanitary pads are now too expensive.
In the last couple of days, the area where I am staying has become very crowded because many families are fleeing from Rafah to the middle area. There are hundreds of thousands of people, they are everywhere.
The last time I went to the market, I could barely walk through the masses of people in the streets. I saw people building tents from nylon and wood, near the cemetery, on streets, on empty land; others were sheltering in storage spaces and unfinished buildings.
People just want a safe place.
Palestinian women cannot access healthcare
I met a colleague from one of Islamic Relief’s local partner organisations – he is displaced in my area. He told me they are conducting an initiative called “From Woman to Woman” that is helping women at the displacement sites with some of their hygiene needs and other essentials. He introduced me to a young woman, Fatima*, who works with the women in the displacement camps.
“Women can’t meet any of their needs. Pregnant women can’t access healthcare. In fact, there is no healthcare at all, for anyone,” she told me.
I asked about healthcare for women, pregnant women and those who recently gave birth, and Fatima shared what she had witnessed:
“I know a woman who gave birth via caesarean section, while staying in a tent. Usually, recovery from such an operation takes some time, but this woman received no care at all. She had to wake up early and to prepare food, clean and take care of her children. She then got an infection and had to go to the hospital. The hospitals can barely provide medical care to people wounded in strikes, so she was only given painkillers and sent away.
“One woman refused to drink water and eat during her pregnancy to avoid using the toilets. The toilets are always crowded and unclean and she thought it is better to avoid them. Her health deteriorated and she had to be rushed to the clinic, but the only assistance they could offer was advising her to drink more water.
Islamic Relief has built portable bathrooms for shelters to tackle the lack of sanitation and hygiene caused by the conflict
“Another young woman used to sit on the ground to wash clothes and cook food on the fire. The awkward position twisted the leg of her unborn baby. She was lucky to find out about her baby as most of the women do not have a chance for regular checkups, ultrasound scans, and advice from doctors. Most pediatricians are also displaced, or no longer able to work.
“Frankly, pregnancy now is like it was 100 years ago, without medical care and checkups. Only a lucky and healthy woman can get through pregnancy without complications. Many women I know have miscarriages and problems due to the lack of medical care.”
Women and girls without protection from sexual harassment and assault
I also talked with her about other displaced women and girls, asking about the main problems they face. Fatima told me, “The main problem for women is the lack of privacy and personal space. Some girls told me they have been subject to harassment and assault. In these conditions, they can’t report these incidents as there are no channels for reporting and they think it is not as important as meeting their family’s basic needs, preparing food, or washing clothes.
“The conditions are very harsh. Most women are not used to cooking on firewood or washing clothes by hand. They do not have warm clothes. Some of them told me they have breathing issues due to polluted air from the ongoing military operations, from fire, from the dirt.
“Women on their period can’t find sanitary pads: even if they are available in the market, they cost much more than most women can afford. There are girls and women now using rags instead, but that caused many problems for them, especially infections and other complications as there are not enough water or hygiene products.
“Also, women do not have access to products like deodorant, creams, shampoos, and many other things. I know lots of women and girls who used to take very good care of themselves and wear the nicest clothes – they are now unable to wash. It is sad seeing them suffer.”
Gaza’s women and girls are strong, but they have suffered
I asked what the most urgent needs of women and girls are. Fatima sighed and said, sadly, “They need their lives back. They need their homes. They need everything. Palestinian women are strong and resilient, but they are one of the most vulnerable segments in society and they have suffered the most. Women – like everyone in Gaza – just hope for a ceasefire as soon as possible, so they can take a breath of rest and comfort after all the loss they endured.”
Fatima and her organisation are helping women and girls however they can, but it is a drop in an ocean of need. I see my wife, my sisters, and my mother enduring these hard conditions and think of all they have suffered. They have lost their smiles. They, like every other Palestinian, are praying for an end to this brutal war. They ask for your support, and for you to tell their stories and inform this unfair world about their suffering.
Please help Islamic Relief support people in desperate need in Gaza: Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.
*This blog is anonymised to protect the safety and security of our colleague and others mentioned.
Read the other blogs in this series here.
Editor’s note: This blog was submitted amid a fast-changing and deepening crisis. The information was correct as of Saturday 24 February 2024.
