The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25th to December 10th, serves as a global call to action to end violence against women and girls. This year, however, the campaign’s relevance is more urgent than ever as the world witnesses the unparalleled suffering of women in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been subjected to devastating attacks, leaving tens of thousands of civilian casualties, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence.
The Hidden Toll: Women in Gaza Facing War and Its Aftermath
The ongoing war in Gaza has pushed women into unimaginable circumstances, compounding the already existing vulnerabilities caused by years of siege and instability. For many women, the war is not just about surviving the bombings but also enduring the loss of homes, loved ones, and even their futures.
Buried Dreams: Women Under the Rubble
In the aftermath of relentless bombings, many women remain trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed homes, with rescue operations hindered by continuous attacks and a lack of resources. Entire families have been wiped out, leaving loved ones to grapple with grief and despair.
A War on Motherhood
For women in Gaza, the war has turned motherhood into a nightmare. The bombings have forced countless pregnant women to endure harrowing circumstances, often leading to miscarriages in unhygienic and unsafe conditions. Doctors in overwhelmed hospitals, short on supplies and under siege, have had to resort to emergency hysterectomies, stripping women of their ability to bear children. These traumatic experiences highlight the extreme physical and emotional toll this war is inflicting on Gaza’s women.
Children at Risk: The Silent Victims
The war has not only devastated women but also placed the lives of thousands of children at risk. Infant nutrition has become a dire concern, as mothers struggling with fear and malnutrition themselves are unable to breastfeed. With no access to formula milk due to supply shortages, the survival of these infants hangs by a thread.
One statistic stands out starkly: 209 infants born during the war have perished, their short lives extinguished by circumstances they had no part in creating. Meanwhile, 35,055 children have lost one or both parents, leaving them in a state of utter vulnerability.
