No privacy, a constant struggle for women in crowded Gaza camps | Gaza

For women in Gaza, the hardships of life in the sprawling tent camps are compounded by the daily humiliation of having no privacy at all.

Women displaced from their homes by constant Israeli bombing struggle to dress modestly as they huddle in tents with extended family members, including men, and with strangers just steps away in neighboring tents.

Alaa Hamami dealt with the issue of modesty by wearing it constantly Prayer shawlA piece of cloth covering her head and upper body.

The young mother of three said: “Our whole life has become prayer clothes, even to the market we wear them.” “Dignity is gone.”

Usually, she only wore the shawl when performing her daily prayers. But with so many men around, she wears it all the time, even while sleeping — just in case an Israeli attack happens near her at night and she has to flee quickly, she said.

Israel The war on Gaza This has led to the displacement of more than 90% of its 2.3 million population from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of people now live in squalid, crowded camps close together over vast areas – where sewage flows into the streets and food and water are difficult to obtain.

Access to toilets and hygiene products is also limited, and many women are now cutting up old blankets or clothes to use as sanitary pads.

Wafa Nasrallah, a displaced mother of two children, says that life in the camps makes even the simplest needs difficult, and she cannot buy sanitary pads. I’ve tried using cloths and even diapers, but they’ve also gone up in price.

To make the toilet, Nasrallah uses a hole in the ground, surrounded by blankets supported by sticks.

These makeshift latrines must also be shared with dozens of other people in the camps.

With the arrival of winter, challenges increase and women feel constantly exposed. Many say they have to choose between buying sanitary pads and buying food and water.

The United Nations says that more than 690,000 women and girls in Gaza need menstrual hygiene products, as well as clean water and toilets, with hygiene supplies running out of stock and exorbitant prices.

But aid workers have been unable to meet the demand, with supplies piling up at border crossings, and Israel continuing to prevent aid and supplies from entering the besieged and damaged Strip.