Women of Palestine
- The Mary Word
- May 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 2
By Mashal Shah
The Palestine and Israel conflict. A topic that has caused major international uproar. However, it is a topic that needs to be discussed. Women and children especially, have been significantly impacted with 70% of deaths being women and children (Amnesty International). In case you are uninformed, this article will provide insight into the lives of Palestinian women and the way their lifestyle has been forced to change due to this conflict.
Blockade of Humanitarian Aid
One of difficulties of the conflict has involved the blocking of humanitarian aid from charity organisations through controlling the borders. Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a “cruel collective punishment” of the Palestinian population. In relation to women, it has denied women the basic medical services and needs such as sanitary items, any sort of pain killer and food. These impact all women as the lack of sanitary items causes discomfort and may lead to an impact on physical and mental health and increases in the risk of disease and infection. In particular, this affects the lives of pregnant women and women with children as they are unable to provide food or necessary items for survival.
Targeting of Educational and Medical Infrastructures
According to the Insecurity Insight, 375 of both Gaza’s and the West Bank’s health facilities combined have been damaged. Health facilities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were stormed, raided or surrounded on at least 30 occasions between 07 October 2023 and 17 March 2025, disrupting health care operations. Women have been severely impacted by the destruction of medical services, especially pregnant or sick women as they lack medical assistance, medicine and medical staff. In many cases, Palestinians have been forced to conduct surgeries without any sterile and safe equipment, and with the lack of painkillers such as anesthesia. The World Health Organisation and partners have reported severe shortages of medicine and medical equipment.
Loss of Civilian Life
The loss of life would most likely be the most mentally and physically draining impact on women. The loss of children and family members would take a large toll on everyone but in this case, other external factors such as the blockade of humanitarian aid would significantly increase the impact. With over 13, 300 (Amnesty International) deaths of children. Imagine the lives of the mothers, fathers. To make it worse, the deaths by which the children are subjected too is often long and painful, such as through the spread of disease (currently rapidly increasing) or cases of malnutrition. The loss of family severely impacts the thousands of Palestinian women who are currently living in Gaza and the West Bank.
The destruction of homes and infrastructure, loss of family and the denial of humanitarian aid has an immense impact on the lives of Palestinian women. As privileged women, we should elevate the voices of these Palestinian women who are forcefully subjected to abuse and pain. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want people to speak up on your suffering or stay silent?
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