In the continuum of events materializing in a war zone, we often turn a blind eye towards the plight of women and their access to basic rights. Although war’s savagery affects both women and men, it always has an inordinate gendered impact on women’s lives. Beyond the perspective of states, political leaders and soldiers, the complexity of circumstances that unfold during and after the war, recasts a terror-stricken shadow on women’s lives that essentially needs to be addressed and dealt with. Women inhabiting the conflict-stricken zones in the Middle East are a testament to the menacing effects of war that significantly alters their lives. Women and children disproportionately bear the brunt of conflicts and Gaza is no exception. Owing to the Israel-Hamas war, the already deplorable condition of women and children in Gaza materialized into a severe human rights crisis. The grim reality calls for an urgent ceasefire, humanitarian assistance and relief.
Background: Ordeals of Gazan Women under the Israeli Blockade
The Israeli occupation and blockade of Gaza paired with the existing intra-Palestinian divide between the Fatah-led government and the Hamas-led de facto authority has significantly impacted the lives of Gazan women, notably with regard to the standardization of legal frameworks in line with international humanitarian standards. Living through years of occupation and the omission of basic human rights, Palestinian women have long been subjected to Israel’s multilayered systematic onslaught, discrimination and political violence. The Israeli occupation and blockade of the Gaza Strip and the resulting geographical fragmentation fostered a complex system of administrative and physical restrictions on Gazan Women.
As per the United Nations report on the social and economic situation of Palestinian women and girls, Israel’s long-held blockade has taken a considerable toll on Gazan women and girls by undermining living conditions with imposed restrictions on essential services and heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence. Permeating every aspect of daily life, the implications of the blockade on Gazan women and girls range from movement restrictions hindering the right to family life to administrative arrest and detention, including ill-treatment, sexual violence, beatings, threats, insults, strip searches and harassment.
The blockade has resulted in a shrinking civic space for human rights defenders as the Palestinian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) face repressive measures implemented by the Israeli authorities. In October 2021, in an egregious misuse of counterterrorism and security legislation, Israel’s Minister of Defence designated six Palestinian humanitarian organizations and civil society groups as terrorist organizations, which garnered global condemnation from international human rights defenders. The already dismal sociocultural, political and economic framework of Gaza has been worsened by the recent course of events following the October 7 attack on Israel and the declaration of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Grasping at Straws: No Privacy, Water or Sanitary Napkins for Women in Gaza
Since 7 October, Gazan Women and girls of all ages have been enduring the resulting atrocities of war, including deaths, injuries and fatalities. In the aftermath of the October 7th attack by Hamas, Israel launched an attack on Gaza and continued its bombardment on an unprecedented scale, causing massive destruction of lives and property, killing more than 20,000 people, including 8,800 children and 6,000 plus Gazan women. As per WHO, Gaza all in all has only 13 partially functioning hospital units. Whereas, in northern Gaza, with buildings overflowing with the wounded, hospitals are completely out of service. Amidst all this, the lack of access to feminine hygiene products is exposing Gazan women and girls to the risk of chronic diseases.
Often referred to as ‘Israel’s open air prison’, the already dire human rights situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by the ongoing war, devoiding women and girls from receiving basic personal amenities, posing serious risk to health amidst the ongoing crisis. Due to the Israeli siege, women in the Palestinian territory of Gaza are suffering from a dearth of sanitary pads, sterilizers and other crucial amenities of personal hygiene, risking their health with harmful alternatives. With the pharmacies and local markets running out of supplies, these women are facing a journey of torment in their desperate search for sanitary pads, especially during the menstrual cycle, and are failing to obtain any. Usage of public toilets in asylums and using contaminated utensils during menstruation are exposing Gazan women and girls to health risks such as bacterial vaginal infections which can potentially harm reproductive health.
Facing internal displacement, amidst crowded living conditions, many Palestinian women have resorted to period delaying contraceptives and norethisterone tablets – which are ordinarily prescribed for severe menstrual bleeding conditions or to avoid menstrual discomfort and pain. With no access to water and hygiene products such as napkins or tampons, the dire situation is forcing Gazan women to opt for alternatives like clothes pieces as substitutes for sanitary napkins. As per gynecologists and health experts, usage of clothes as an alternative to sanitary pads can lead to bacterial infections and can increase the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which can be severe and life-threatening. Experts recommend changing cloth products every 4-6 hours and advise thoroughly washing and sanitizing them between uses to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
Amidst an appalling situation where new lives are being overshadowed by death, destruction and horror, there is a looming risk of increased maternal and infant mortality rate in Gaza. An estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza risk missing intrinsic ante-natal care and those with infants are struggling to find birth supplies and other crucial medical amenities. Meanwhile, women are giving birth in the dearth of medical supplies, without water, painkillers or anesthesia for Cesarean sections and electricity for incubators.
Breaking International Humanitarian Laws?
Despite Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the UN maintains that Israel’s exercise of authority and effective control over the region continues, which accounts for its obligation under international humanitarian law to provide for the basic needs of the population. Israel must cease using starvation as a weapon against Gazan civilians and causing deprivation of essential resources like water and food in the conflict with Hamas.
Adding to the terrible human and material toll, the reproductive violence faced by Gazan women qualifies as a violation of the human right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. As well as Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court which talks about punitive measures against the “imposition of measures intended to prevent births within a group”
The continuation of such offenses against Gazan women and girls questions the credibility of international law and the framework laid down by Resolution 1325 of the Security Council on Women, Peace and security. The transgressions being committed are grave assaults on the integrity and dignity of women. Depriving Gazan women, girls and children from access to clean water and sanitation facilities poses multiple additional health risks and are infractions to their basic human rights. Such infringements are prohibited by the Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions, including Common Article 3, as these acts amount to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Additionally, women are always at an increased risk of becoming victims to sexual violence in times of armed conflict. The survivors of sexual violence require immediate support and care such as provision of contraceptives and treatment to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Psychosocial support must be facilitated for Gazan women who have undergone such traumatic experiences. Although international humanitarian organizations are scaling up their delivery of aid and assistance, much more resources are needed to meet the growing demands.
The Way Forward
The vulnerabilities and deprivation faced by women in Gaza cannot be viewed in isolation from the flagrant violation of human rights law and the grim humanitarian situation that permeates all over Palestine. The international community should have a common vision of forcing the parties involved to exercise restraint and respect obligations under international humanitarian law. Global pressure must be exerted on Israel to restore the flow of water, electricity and fuel into Gaza and allow passage of humanitarian aid in the region. Instead of being blind to each other’s wounds, nations worldwide must join hands and work together in providing aid and support to Gaza. Human rights defenders, activists and journalists must voice concern over the distressing condition of Gazan women and children. Furthermore, the war in Gaza is a poignant reminder to the international community of the psychological and physical effects of war on women’s lives and the inclusion of gender-related issues and perspectives in addressing issues related to war and armed conflicts.
About the Author
Afifa Iqbal writes with a passion for international relations and geopolitics, focusing on Africa and West Asia region. She is an active contributor to the understanding of complex geopolitical dynamics, exploring the nuances of international affairs and the pursuit for peace.
