In Gaza, women and girls face immense challenges managing their periods amidst the ongoing crisis. The dire conditions of displacement, overcrowded shelters, and lack of basic hygiene have transformed a natural biological process into a monthly ordeal for these individuals.
With 1.8 billion people worldwide menstruating, the situation is exacerbated in crisis zones like war-torn Gaza. Approximately 700,000 women and girls of menstruating age in Gaza, including those experiencing their first period, struggle to cope with the lack of resources and privacy amid relentless bombardment and unsanitary living conditions.
The United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, highlights the severe impact of the scarcity of menstrual products, clean water, and soap on women and girls’ ability to manage their periods with dignity. The blockade imposed by Israel has depleted essential hygiene supplies in Gaza, including sanitary pads, leaving many women without proper resources.
As a result, women and girls resort to desperate measures, such as using torn clothes, sponges, or old rags, which not only lack effectiveness but also pose health risks. The scarcity of sanitary pads and hygiene items has forced individuals to improvise, leading to potential infections and long-term reproductive health issues.
Speaking from a health care perspective, a doctor in Gaza emphasizes the distressing conditions under which women must navigate menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. These natural experiences have become sources of pain and distress, stripping away women’s dignity in the face of immense challenges.
Amidst emergencies, women and girls are among the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks due to displacement and the breakdown of essential support structures. The lack of access to basic hygiene items like pads and soap further exacerbates their plight, emphasizing the critical need for humanitarian aid that respects their dignity.
UNFPA has been at the forefront of responding to menstrual health needs in Gaza, integrating menstrual health across humanitarian efforts. Despite efforts to provide supplies like disposable menstrual pads and postpartum kits, the aid blockade has severely impacted the availability of hygiene kits, leaving many women and girls without essential resources.
The ongoing call for urgent support for women and girls in Gaza reflects the pressing need to address the menstrual health crisis in one of the world’s most neglected regions. The stories of these individuals shed light on the importance of upholding dignity and providing essential resources to ensure their well-being amidst adversity.
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