63 women die every day due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is heartbreaking, exacerbated by Israel's recent military offensive. Period poverty and lack of healthcare are the most pressing issues facing women in this region, which has left many in precarious and vulnerable conditions.
As a result of the ongoing conflict, period poverty, an often overlooked problem, has reached alarming proportions in Gaza. Women in Gaza face a critical shortage of menstrual hygiene products, forcing them to resort to unsafe and degrading methods to manage their periods.
Lack of access to pads, tampons and other suitable menstrual products has led many women to use scraps of cloth, disposable diapers or even fragments of tents. This lack of menstrual hygiene products is humiliating for women and endangers their health because it increases the likelihood of infections and other medical complications.
Women in Gaza not only suffer from period poverty, but also face a widespread health crisis. Gaza's health system is on the verge of collapse due to attacks during the military offensive on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and health centers. Gaza's ability to provide adequate medical care to its population has been severely limited, with many hospitals severely damaged or completely destroyed. The health crisis in Gaza has been further exacerbated by a lack of medical supplies, a shortage of medical personnel and the disruption of basic health services.
The situation for women in Gaza has worsened due to lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation . With water and sanitation infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the attacks, many women struggle to find water for drinking, cooking and cleaning, let alone properly washing during their menstrual period. The lack of adequate water and sanitation increases the danger of waterborne diseases and other infections, further worsening the health crisis in Gaza.
Furthermore, many women find themselves in an extremely vulnerable situation due to the increase in gender-based violence during the conflict . Women have no place to shelter due to overcrowding in shelters and lack of personal security. The international community has expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and has urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians, including children and women. Immediate action is required to address menstrual and health poverty and ensure that all women in the region have access to menstrual hygiene products, adequate healthcare, clean water and safe sanitation.
In addition, they also face cultural and social barriers that make it difficult to access help and support. Many women feel left silent and without resources to manage their menstruation in a safe and dignified manner due to the stigma associated with menstruation and lack of access to education about menstrual and reproductive health.
In Gaza, an average of 63 women die a day: 37 are mothers who leave their families behind
Various humanitarian organizations and aid agencies are working to provide aid to women and girls in Gaza in response to this crisis. Affected communities are receiving menstrual hygiene kits, medical supplies and food, and psychosocial support programs are being carried out to help women overcome trauma and violence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that it is necessary to medically evacuate around 8,000 patients, of which around 6,000 suffer various traumas, reflecting the lack of adequate medical resources in the region and the urgency of medical care.
International Women's Day becomes a sad reminder of the harsh conditions faced by women in Gaza in this bleak context. According to the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), since the start of the conflict on October 7, at least 9,000 women have died, and many more are trapped in the rubble and struggling to survive amid the chaos and the destruction.
UNRWA added that "An average of 63 women die a day in Gaza: 37 are mothers who leave their families behind," highlighting the disproportionate impact of violence on women and mothers.
The loss of female life is not only an individual tragedy, but also represents a devastating loss for families and communities in Gaza, further exacerbating problems related to malnutrition, period poverty and healthcare. Women in Gaza face an additional burden of care and responsibility as they struggle to keep their families safe and healthy amid violence and destruction amid the fight for survival.