NAGHAM KARAJEH

Gaza- Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed, injured and displaced tens thousands. Young women living in shelter centers struggle to survive despite the lack of privacy, hygienic supplies.

Nur Khalaf, one of these young women, has been displaced seven times with her family and now lives in a shelter center due to Israel’s evacuation orders. She has to wait in long queues for food and provide basic needs for her family in the temporary shelter center. “I have to do many things for my family such as waiting in long queues for food and water, carrying water in heavy buckets and burning wood.”

Raising prices and the lack of basic supplies force girls to find food and other basic needs for their families.

Some young women bear most of the responsibility for their families, Nur Khalaf told us. “Girls here are the backbone of the family. They bear heavy burden and living conditions in shelter centers double their suffering.”

‘The biggest problem is the lack of privacy’

Young women living in shelter centers suffer the most from the lack of privacy. “Sleep is a fundamental human right but it becomes a great luxury for young women living in the centers because they have to sleep in their daily clothes, even without removing their headscarves. I no longer feel like I have my own space, even sleeping comfortably has become a dream for us.”

The lack of hygienic supplies

In shelter centers, girls and women also suffer from the lack of hygienic supplies, water and power outages. Nur and other young women have to boil water over a wood fire and then carry boiled water. They face double challenges especially during menstruation due to the lack of cleaning and hygiene supplies. “Sometimes, we do not take a shower for days. We do not even have sanitary pads.”

‘Palestinian women are symbols of resistance’

Despite everything, young women living in shelter centers resist, “Because we have no other choice, we have to live despite all the challenges. I do my best to support my family. Palestinian women are symbols of resistance, patience and strong will.”