IKHLAS Al-HAMROUNI

Tunisia- Israel has attacked the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, killing and injuring thousands, including women and children as Palestinians have been suffering from a humanitarian crisis.

‘Women suffer more than men in Palestine’

Hayat Halimi, a Tunisian human rights activist and member of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights, has supported the cause of Palestine since her childhood. “Whenever I watch the news, I see how Palestinians are subjected to discrimination. Palestinian women resist the lack of food, water and shelter, the hot and cold weather. They are also openly killed and displaced while losing their children. Women suffer more than men in Palestine. Women are always the victims of wars and conflicts due to gender discrimination. This discrimination becomes obvious when talking about the feminization of poverty, unemployment, marginalization and violence. Women are subjected to all forms of violence in all facets of life.”

 ‘What is going on is considered normal’

Hayat Halimi criticizes the silence of the international community and organizations against what is going on in the Gaza Strip. “The international community and human rights organizations have failed to support the cause of Palestine and Palestinian women. Unfortunately, what is going on in the Gaza Strip is considered 'normal'. The whole world must take an urgent action to protect Palestinians, especially Palestinian women, and end rights violations committed against them. Despite the international silence, feminist organizations and movements do their best to support Palestinian women. Tunisian human rights activists always defend the rights of Palestinian women; however, the voice of Tunisian women is insufficient to stop the massacres committed against Palestinian women.”

‘We should make the voice of Palestinian women heard all around the world’

When Israel started attacking the Gaza Strip, some Tunisian and Arab organizations took immediate action to protect Palestinian women, Hayat Halimi said. “However, they have limited means to protect and support all Palestinian women. Some international organizations that supposedly protect human rights have just chanted slogans instead of taking an urgent action against the crimes committed against Palestinians. Despite everything, we, as women’s organizations, should make the voice of Palestinian women heard all around the world to protect them.”