Israel-Hamas war: The Gendered Impact of the Conflict in Gaza

26-10-2023

Roza Cseby

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

The Gaza Strip Rapid Gender Analysis published by CARE International on 22 October emphasises the gendered impacts of protracted crises such as the ongoing crisis in Gaza, creating multidimensional and intersectional vulnerabilities such as difficulties in accessing potable water, food, shelter, protection or health services disproportionately affecting women and girls (CARE, 2023). Similar analyses have been published in recent days, such as those of Women Deliver, Reckon, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA) and UN Women, all underscoring the particular vulnerabilities of women and girls affected by the crisis. Women Deliver, for example, labelled the Israel-Hamas war as a reproductive justice and health crisis due to dire access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities as well as the expected lack of electricity or medical supplies in the coming months (Women Deliver, 2023). 

UN Women estimates the recent outbreak of violence and destruction has forced nearly 493,000 women and girls in Gaza to leave their homes. It also calculates that up to now, around 1,487 men have lost their lives in the conflict, leading to a significant increase in the number of widows. Consequently, nearly 900 new households are now headed by women which further exacerbates their vulnerabilities. In addition, according to UNFPA estimations, there are 540,000 women of reproductive age, among whom 50,000 are currently pregnant and 5,522 are expected to give birth within the next month (UN Women, 2023). 

“We don’t know what’s going to happen to these women and their newborn babies. Our center is unusable and our options to provide referrals to hospitals are decreasing by the hour. I can’t stress enough how dire the situation is and how desperately we need humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza” - said Ammal Awadallah, Executive Director of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA). On October 8th, an Israeli airstrike hit a building adjacent to PFPPA's sole centre in Gaza, completely disrupting their ability to provide healthcare to women. These women have already faced consistent denials of sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights due to the protracted Israeli occupation. Furthermore, On October 11th, Gaza's sole power plant depleted its fuel supply, and three out of five water treatment plants stopped operating because of Israeli bombings and a shortage of fuel (IPPF, 2023). Although the Rafah border crossing, which is the sole entry point into Gaza from Egypt, was briefly opened on 21 October to permit the passage of 20 convoys carrying vital humanitarian assistance, this represents only 0.002% of aid required (CARE, 2023). Lack of access to clean water, essential food, basic medicines, and vaccines will lead to the ongoing loss of lives among vulnerable women and newborn babies (IPPF, 2023). 

Prior to the ongoing conflict, an estimated 1.3 million people, which makes up 63% of Gaza's population, were facing extreme and severe humanitarian needs and 50% of households in the Gaza Strip were categorised as food insecure. The current conflict further exacerbates the food shortage and disproportionately affects women, widows, refugees and those living with disabilities. Moreover, amidst increasing concern and a large-scale displacement of people, are being set up in various places like university buildings, mosques, refugee camps, hospitals, and churches. However, these places are becoming overcrowded, which not only compromises privacy but also poses significant safety and protection concerns, especially for women and girls. This situation also heightens the risk of gender-based violence. Besides the ongoing conflict, the deep-seated gender discrimination, including laws in Palestine that subject women to the protection and authority of men further increases the vulnerabilities of women (CARE, 2023). 

The most urgent demands and recommendations by UN Women and CARE International for humanitarian actors to alleviate the unequal burden women in the Gaza Strip have to bear are the following:

• Make sure to assist and protect the access of women and girls, including survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), to essential services. Also, support service providers in implementing all required measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), especially in light of the ongoing increase in violence and internal displacement 
• Guarantee that women-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) receive sufficient funding to actively participate in planning and responding to humanitarian crises. This support should also extend to contributing to the emergency appeal of the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund, aimed at assisting local women's organisations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (UN Women);
• Set up designated safe spaces for mothers and children within collective centres to enhance privacy and offer specialised services for pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children. These services should include counselling for referrals related to gender-based violence and assistance for children experiencing psychological distress and trauma;
• Incorporate Gender-Responsive Approaches: Mandate the gathering and utilisation of sex-age disability-disaggregated data (SADDD) in all assessments and implement an ongoing and iterative process for intersectional gender analysis. This will enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and timeliness of gender-responsive approaches;
• Urgently provide bottled water and essential hygiene kits tailored to the most at-risk groups, including adolescent girls, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, individuals with disabilities, and children under 5 years of age. These kits should include culturally appropriate menstrual hygiene management supplies, discreet disposal options, newborn care supplies, and incontinence products; 
• Provide immediate assistance to replenish hospitals and healthcare facilities with critical medications, medical resources, and power/fuel. This effort should particularly address the requirements of women and girls, encompassing necessities such as nutritional supplements for pregnant women and children under 5 years old, as well as resources for expectant mothers
• Collaborate with local health organisations to guarantee access to vital sexual and reproductive health services. This should encompass continuous availability of emergency obstetric care, postpartum and newborn care, lactation support, and the clinical management of sexual assault, following the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) guidelines (CARE, 2023). 

Sources and further readings:

CARE International (25 October 2023). Gaza Strip Rapid Gender Analysis: Brief. Retrieved on 26 October 2023 from https://www.careevaluations.org/evaluation/gaza-strip-rapid-gender-analysis-brief/ 

Women Deliver (24 October 2023). Women Deliver Decries Crimes against Humanity and Impact on Women and Girls in Gaza. Retrieved on 26 October 2023 from https://www.careevaluations.org/evaluation/gaza-strip-rapid-gender-analysis-brief/ 

UN Women (20 October 2023). UN Women Rapid Assessment and Humanitarian Response in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Retrieved on 26 October 2023 from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/un-women-rapid-assessment-and-humanitarian-response-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-en.pdf 

Reckon (19 October 2023). This is why what’s happening in Gaza is a reproductive justice issue too. Retrieved on 26 October 2023 from https://www.oregonlive.com/reckon/2023/10/this-is-why-whats-happening-in-gaza-is-a-reproductive-justice-issue-too.html?outputType=amp 

IPPF (12 October 2023). Over 37,000 pregnant women at risk of life-threatening complications in Gaza. International Planned Parenthood Federation. Retrieved on 26 October 2023 from https://www.ippf.org/media-center/over-37000-pregnant-women-risk-life-threatening-complications-gaza