By Amid the ongoing war and Israeli aggression in Palestine, thousands of women have been forced to accommodate their menstrual hygiene in harsh conditions in Gaza.
Just 25 miles long and 7 miles wide, the Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2006, which heavily restricts the amount of food, water, and medical and industrial supply that can enter the territory. Now, under constant military attack from Israeli rockets and tanks, supplies have run thin. Pads, sanitary wrappers, and tampons are all especially difficult to find, and the lack of sanitation caused by rocket fire and overcrowding has made proper hygiene near impossible.
Clean water in Gaza — already limited before the war — has become extremely scarce, and is strictly rationed, making regular showers and washing clothes very difficult. Women are unable to find privacy amid the immense overcrowding of the southern part of Gaza, especially with the lack of stable food and shelter.
As reported by the UNRWA, the lack of menstrual hygiene products available since October has disproportionately exposed thousands of Gazan girls and women to extremely unsanitary and dangerous conditions, as well as causing mental distress related to the lack of personal privacy afforded to them.
In a desperate attempt to avoid infection and disease, many women have turned to taking pills that delay menstruation. Norethisterone, a prescription medication typically prescribed for severe menstrual pain, heavy bleeding, and endometriosis, is being used to halt the regular menstrual cycle in women and girls.
Typically easier to find in whatever pharmacies survived Israeli airstrikes than pads and tampons, norethisterone keeps progesterone levels in the body raised to prevent the uterine lining shedding. This prevents the menstrual cycle from starting but has several health drawbacks.
When we talk about menstrual equality, we must bring Gazan women into the conversation. The shortages imposed by the blockade, the lack of privacy and shelter, and the extreme shortage of clean water are all factors that affect the experience of women and girls, especially those menstruating for the first time.
The pills can cause nausea, dizziness, irregular hormonal levels, and irregular vaginal bleeding. These pills are typically prescribed by a medical professional, but due to the dire conditions in Gaza, many women are using them without any guidance from a doctor. In many cases, this is the only alternative to having a long and uncomfortable period with limited privacy and almost no clean water.
When we talk about menstrual equality, we must bring Gazan women into the conversation. The shortages imposed by the blockade, the lack of privacy and shelter, and the extreme shortage of clean water are all factors that affect the experience of women and girls, especially those menstruating for the first time. Please follow Gazan voices on the ground and don’t look away from the atrocities unfolding in Palestine.
May we see a free Palestine for all in our lifetime, Ameen.