Amplifying the voices of women in the Gaza Strip
Authors: Samer Abuzerr, Kate Zinser
Journal: The Lancet (2024)

In the midst of war and adversity, shining a spotlight on the resilient and often overlooked women of the Gaza Strip (or Gaza) who endure the brunt of conflict and hardship is imperative. Their stories of courage, perseverance, and resilience deserve to be heard.1UN WomenVoices from Gaza: Hala's journey of resilience.https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/stories/feature-story/2023/11/voices-from-gaza-halas-journey-of-resilienceDate: Nov 24, 2023Date accessed: March 8, 2024Google Scholar Throughout the ongoing conflict in Gaza, women have played multifaceted roles as caretakers, providers, activists, and pillars of strength within their communities.2Norwegian Refugee CouncilGaza: the impact of conflict on women.https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/gaza---the-impact-of-conflict-on-women.pdfDate: November, 2015Date accessed: March 9, 2024Google Scholar Despite facing immense challenges including bloodshed, displacement, loss of loved ones, and little access to resources, these women continue to show unwavering resilience and determination to rebuild their lives and communities, and their commitment to future generations of Gazans is admirable.3Carnegie Endowment for International PeacePalestinian women in Gaza: cruel realities of displacement.https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/91895Date: March 7, 2024Date accessed: March 9, 2024Google Scholar In times of crises, women in Gaza have been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, providing essential support to their families and communities.4International Rescue CommitteeGaza crisis.https://www.rescue.org/topic/gaza-crisisDate: 2024Date accessed: March 9, 2024Google Scholar From ensuring access to food and health care, to advocating for the rights of the most vulnerable, their contributions are indispensable to the survival and wellbeing of their communities.5Human Rights WatchIsrael and Palestine: events of 2022.https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/israel-and-palestine-0Date: 2022Date accessed: March 9, 2024Google Scholar Moreover, these women have been instrumental in promoting peace, reconciliation, and dialogue among ongoing conflict.6WHOHealth conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA76/A76_15-en.pdfDate: May 17, 2023Date accessed: March 9, 2024Google Scholar Despite pervasive violence and instability, they remain steadfast in their commitment to fostering understanding, empathy, and cooperation among diverse communities; however, acknowledging that these women also face unique and disproportionate challenges is crucial, and these challenges are exacerbated by the intersecting dynamics of conflict, poverty, and gender inequality. Little access to education, economic opportunities, and health care further exacerbates the vulnerability and marginalisation of these women. Let us reaffirm our commitment to amplifying the voices and experiences of women in Gaza, and commending their resilience, agency, and determination during this conflict. We urge policy makers, humanitarian organisations, and global leaders to prioritise the needs and rights of women in Gaza, ensuring their protection and equitable access to resources and opportunities. By empowering women, we can pave the way for sustainable peace, development, and justice in Gaza and beyond. We declare no competing interests. Editorial note: The Lancet Group takes a neutral position with respect to territorial claims in published text and institutional affiliations.