In the midst of prolonged conflict in Gaza, women face increasing challenges as essential female hygiene products become scarce. The ongoing war, which has persisted for over ten months, has led to a severe shortage of items crucial for maintaining personal hygiene, such as menstrual hygiene products and razors. This scarcity has made these products not only difficult to find but also prohibitively expensive for many women in the region.

According to a report by Care International, over 540,000 women and girls of reproductive age in Gaza are in urgent need of access to vital hygiene and health care supplies. The lack of these basic products has significantly impacted women like Leena Abu Hain, a 21-year-old displaced multiple times during the conflict. She describes the challenges of maintaining cleanliness amidst inadequate facilities and the exorbitant prices of the limited products available in local markets.

The situation has been further exacerbated by the scarcity of water, forcing women to walk long distances to access this essential resource for daily hygiene practices. The dire circumstances have prompted concerns from organizations like UN Women, which has labeled the current conflict in Gaza as a “war on women,” highlighting the disproportionate impact on women and girls who are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

The Israeli government’s alleged use of water as a weapon during the conflict has raised additional human rights concerns, with organizations like Oxfam pointing out the deliberate targeting of essential resources critical for maintaining hygiene and health. Pregnant women, such as 39-year-old Samaher Kishko, are facing challenges in accessing proper nutrition and medical care, with limited availability of healthy food and essential prenatal supplements due to the conflict-induced economic strain.

The disruptions in humanitarian aid distribution have further worsened the situation, with reports indicating irregular assistance reaching affected populations. Women are resorting to makeshift solutions like using cloth shreds or baby diapers in lieu of sanitary pads, emphasizing the urgent need for consistent and adequate provision of essential hygiene products.

Despite the resilience displayed by women like Riham, who is navigating the scarcity of basic hygiene items by rationing products like shampoo at inflated prices, the long-term sustainability of such coping mechanisms remains uncertain. The lack of new clothing and undergarments, coupled with the unavailability of affordable hygiene products, poses significant challenges to women’s well-being and dignity in the midst of the protracted conflict.

As women in Gaza continue to grapple with the disappearance of essential hygiene products from the market and the escalating difficulties in maintaining personal cleanliness and health, the urgent need for sustained humanitarian support and intervention to address their specific needs remains paramount. The plight of women in conflict zones like Gaza underscores the critical importance of ensuring access to basic hygiene necessities as a fundamental human right, essential for preserving dignity and well-being amidst crisis and adversity.