January 19, 2024, marks the publication of a harrowing report by UN Women titled “Gender alert: The gendered impact of the crisis in Gaza,” which sheds light on the profound and distinct hardships faced by the population in the Gaza Strip, with a specific focus on the exacerbated vulnerabilities of women and girls. The ongoing conflict has led to over 24,620 Palestinian fatalities, displacing more than 1.9 million individuals, nearly half of whom are women and girls, in a region already grappling with acute food insecurity affecting its entire population of approximately 2.2 million.
This detailed report highlights the differential experiences of crisis impacts across genders, age groups, and other demographics, providing a stark picture of the current conditions. A woman displaced from Gaza City to Khan Younis encapsulates the desperation, stating, “Now everything is lost, and the future is so uncertain,” echoing the sentiment of countless others questioning their return to normalcy.
Photographic evidence, such as that of Salma, a 29-year-old mother navigating the devastated streets of Gaza City, underscores the daily reality of those living amidst the conflict. The image captures the resilience and despair of those trying to maintain a semblance of normal life under dire circumstances.
Since 1997, UN Women has been actively involved in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, advocating for women and girls’ rights and addressing humanitarian needs. The escalation of violence since October 7 has seen a dramatic shift in casualty demographics, with women and children now constituting about 70% of the casualties, a stark increase from previous figures.
The closure of Gaza’s only two women’s shelters and frequent telecommunications and electricity outages severely hamper service provision, leaving many, especially widowed women, in dire straits. The report estimates a surge in households led by widowed women, alongside a significant number of children who have lost their fathers.
The crisis has put unprecedented pressure on the remaining healthcare facilities, with the sole functioning maternity hospital in northern Gaza facing imminent fuel shortages, jeopardizing essential services. Personal stories within the report, such as a woman who risked her life and that of her newborn by seeking care in an ill-equipped clinic, highlight the dire medical and safety challenges faced by the population.
Women and girls bear the brunt of acute food insecurity, with pregnant and lactating women facing heightened health and malnutrition risks. Despite the ongoing hostilities, women’s rights organizations strive to remain operational, although their capacity is greatly diminished due to displacement and infrastructure damage.
UN Women’s response to the crisis includes co-chairing national humanitarian action groups and ensuring that women’s needs are prioritized in aid delivery. In collaboration with partners, emergency food assistance, dignity kits, clothing packages, and mental health support have been provided to thousands of affected households and individuals.
However, the report underscores the inadequacy of current aid efforts in the face of escalating needs, calling for increased funding, partnerships, and investments in safety and security. The displacement crisis exerts immense pressure on already scarce resources, with coping mechanisms of individuals and communities rapidly deteriorating.
Elderly residents, such as a 72-year-old woman quoted in the report, express feelings of abandonment and fear, encapsulating the grim outlook shared by many. The ongoing war not only devastates the present but casts a long shadow over the future, leaving the population of Gaza in a state of perpetual uncertainty and despair.