RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza-Israel’s attacks that started on October 7,2023 and ended on January 19 after a ceasefire agreement, destroyed 90% of Gaza homes. Following the ceasefire, the displaced Palestinians returned to their destroyed homes. This year, the women of Gaza welcome International Women’s Day amid destruction while women’s organizations keep providing psychological support and humanitarian aid to them. Since Palestinian women live on the streets, without homes, various activities and events will be held in Gaza to mark International Women’s Day.

 The women of Gaza witnessed a genocide, causing them to suffer from displacement, economic and social challenges, said Fadwa Abdullah, the coordinator of the project “Women’s Voice” launched by the Community Media Center (CMC).

“International Women’s Day is a day making women visible and strengthening women’s role in society,” Fadwa Abdullah told NuJINHA. “The Community Media Center will hold virtual seminars and Palestinian women will tell their stories, rights violations faced by them by participating in these seminars.”

‘The war caused many political, economic and social changes’

The war has overshadowed the challenges faced by women and gender-based violence in the Gaza Strip, Fadwa Abdullah indicated. “Due to the war, Palestinian women cannot report violence against them because there is no authority they can trust. Many young women have lost their family members. The war caused many political, economic and social changes in Gaza and these changes have affected the status of women in society.”

‘Women’s solidarity is essential’

Fadwa Abdullah underlined that the war on Gaza caused many women to lose their source of income. “As women’s organizations, we must make efforts together to support Palestinian women so that they will be able to overcome the tragedy faced by them. Women’s solidarity with Palestinian women is essential now.”