The terrible toll on women’s mental and physical health
Palestinian women mourn their children killed by Israeli bombardment at the Indonesian Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip on 18 November 2023
Iman Farajallah writes in Middle East Eye:
Living amid the relentless onslaught of Israeli forces in Gaza, Palestinian women endure a daily reality of sadness, trauma and fear.
For 137 days and counting, Palestinian women have been deprived of access to vital menstrual health supplies and pregnancy care, plunging them into heightened health risks, particularly for those living in temporary shelters such as tents and schoolrooms.
The present harsh winter conditions are intensifying their suffering. They struggle with inadequate winter clothing and blankets. Access to clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene products has been severely limited, further compromising women’s health and risk of infection. Privacy is a luxury in these crowded conditions, amplifying their distress.
The shortage of pain relief medications and other essential treatments, coupled with the overwhelming demand for medical attention among displaced individuals, worsens the already dire situation.
The inescapable sense of insecurity, with even hospitals and clinics being targeted, instils constant fear, increasing the long-term psychological and health effects faced by Palestinian women.
The loss of specialised psychological support services due to the destruction of facilities, such as the women’s health centre in Bureij Camp, has left many women and children without crucial avenues for care. Coupled with economic hardships and inadequate nutrition, their distress is monumental.
Embarrassment and shame
Added to the physical discomfort is the emotional distress, embarrassment and shame that erodes their sense of dignity and self-worth. The lack of essential medical supplies compounds their sense of powerlessness and hopelessness, leaving them susceptible to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression and despair.