“Repercussions of May 2021 Escalation on Women”
Due to the attacks on Gaza, women of Gaza have faced many problems such as displacement, finding shelters, access to food and health services. The Women’s Affair Center of Gaza held a conference called “Repercussions of May 2021 Escalation on Women” to discuss the problems faced by Gazan women. During the conference, the women stated that the attacks on Gaza ended but women are still suffering from the attacks.
RAFÎF ÎSLÎM
Gaza- The Women’s Affair Center of Gaza held a conference called “Repercussions of May 2021 Escalation on Women” to discuss the problems faced by Gazan women. The women discussed the problems faced by disabled women and survivors of gender-based violence. Wissam Judeh, the digital advocacy coordinator at the Women’s Affairs Center, spoke to NuJINHA about the conference held on October 5 in Gaza. “Israeli occupation authorities deliberately kill people in Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip. They target civilians in their attacks,” Wissam Judeh emphasized.
“Women carry the heaviest burden”
The lives of women and children are at risk, Wissam Judeh said, “According to the report on the 10-21 May escalation released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 256 Palestinians, including 66 children and 40 women, were killed in Gaza and almost 1,940 others, most of the were civilians, were injured. A girl under the age of 18 and four pregnant women were killed. The Israeli attacks on Gaza have ended but the struggle of women continues; they carry the heaviest burden of the attacks.”
“Most of the women suffer”
Donia Al-Amal Ismail is one of the women who participated in the conference. “Women have been affected by all attacks,” she said, “Most of the women still suffer from the attacks. They have suffered from environmental factors and the health systems. The forced displacement also affects women. The disabled, sick, and old women suffer more. The forced displacement has led to changes in gender-based roles. People don’t think men protect their families anymore because women have to carry all burden now.”
“There are only two shelters”
Tahani Wasim made a speech at the conference and she reported that there are only two women’s shelters in Gaza. “Both shelters are not safe for women anymore due to the attacks on them in May. They don’t serve women anymore. The shelter called “Life Center” hosted 15 women and children after the attacks.”
“There are 128,000 disabled people”
Haneen Al-Sammak made a speech about the needs of disabled women. “According to the latest report of the High Commissioner, There are 128,000 disabled people in Palestine, 22,000 of them are women over the age of 18. The disabled people need more health service.”