Women under the brunt of war

In an effort to shed light on the deep humanitarian suffering faced by Palestinian women, the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women is launching a campaign titled “Women Under the Burden of War.” This campaign is part of the project “Localized NEXUS Strategy for the Integrated protection of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian population under occupation in accordance with IHL and IHRL, with special emphasis on gender equity, child protection and DRR” The project is being implemented in partnership with the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women (PSCCW), the Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz Palestine, the Agricultural Development Association PARC, and the Palestinian Hydrology Group(PHG), and is funded by Agencia Vasca de Cooperación para el Desarrollo. 

The campaign aims to amplify the voices of women and document and highlight the catastrophic effects endured by Palestinian women as a result of the ongoing aggression in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. The severe humanitarian crisis, which has become one of the most critical in the world, significantly exacerbates the hardships faced by women. These hardships include food security, healthcare, and difficulty accessing clean water and safe shelter due to the destruction of all essential life components in Gaza and certain areas of the West Bank.

Reports indicate that approximately 39,000 Palestinians have been martyred so far, representing about 1.7% of the total population of the Gaza Strip. Among them, around 16,000 are children, and approximately 11,000 are women. Additionally, around 10,000 individuals are missing and remain unfound. Moreover, 34 individuals have died due to starvation, and about 3,500 children are at risk of death due to malnutrition and lack of food. Meanwhile, the number of injured has reached approximately 88,000, with 70% of them being women and children. 

As a result of these harsh, inhumane conditions that require an immediate response and significant international support to hold the occupation accountable and to alleviate the suffering of women, children, and the population in general, PSCCW is launching the campaign in partnership with Wattan Network. The campaign will include the production and dissemination of a series of television and radio episodes and spots, as well as short videos documenting the most egregious crimes against women and children in Palestine, which constitute blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

These broadcasts will feature recordings of women sharing their experiences and suffering related to displacement, access to healthcare and education, the risk of starvation, and the increased exposure to gender-based violence during the aggression, particularly domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and exploitation. The campaign will also highlight the emergency response efforts of the joint working group, which includes the four partners:  the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women (PSCCW), the Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz Palestine, the Agricultural Development Association PARC, and the Palestinian Hydrology Group(PHG).