In the midst of the prolonged conflict in Gaza, there is a pressing issue that is often overlooked – the scarcity of vital female hygiene products. The ongoing war has exacerbated the already challenging situation for women in Gaza, making it increasingly difficult for them to access essential items like menstrual hygiene products and razors.

The dire situation has significantly impacted the lives of women in Gaza, with over 540,000 women and girls of reproductive age in need of critical hygiene and health supplies. The lack of access to these basic necessities has forced women like Leena Abu Hain, a 21-year-old displaced multiple times during the conflict, to struggle to maintain personal hygiene. Finding sanitary pads and other hygiene products has become a costly and time-consuming endeavor, with low-quality items being sold at exorbitant prices.

The conditions in Gaza have led to a situation where women have to make do with inadequate facilities, such as shared toilets in overcrowded tents, compromising their privacy and dignity. The hardships faced by women in Gaza have caught the attention of organizations like UN Women, which has labeled the conflict as a “war on women.” The impact of the war on women and girls is profound, with nearly one million females bearing the brunt of the prolonged conflict, facing displacement and lack of access to essential resources.

The scarcity of hygiene products is further compounded by challenges in accessing water, with reports suggesting that the Israeli government has weaponized water supply during the conflict. This has raised concerns about human rights violations and breaches of international law, adding to the plight of women like Samaher Kishko, a pregnant woman struggling to afford nutritious food and prenatal care. The escalating prices of basic food items like eggs and meat have made it challenging for women to maintain a healthy diet, further endangering the well-being of expectant mothers and their babies.

The disruption in humanitarian aid deliveries has also had a severe impact on women in Gaza, with reports indicating that sanitary pads were previously distributed but have now become scarce. As a result, women are resorting to makeshift solutions like using pieces of cloth or baby diapers during their menstrual cycles. The unavailability of essential products like underwear, deodorant, and laundry detergent has added to the daily struggles faced by women in Gaza, forcing them to pay exorbitant prices for substandard alternatives.

The uncertainty surrounding the availability of hygiene products has created additional stress for women, who are forced to constantly search for these items and stockpile them when possible. The lack of access to basic hygiene products not only poses health risks but also adds to the mental and emotional burden carried by women in Gaza as they navigate the challenges of daily life amidst conflict and displacement.