The System Was Not Meant to Protect Women in Palestine , But to Break Them
With Sexual Health Week around the corner, it is crucial to acknowledge the horrifying reality faced by women and girls in Gaza. The ongoing genocide has spiraled into one of the most severe humanitarian crises of our time, stripping away fundamental rights and exposing the failure of international systems to protect the most vulnerable. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services have collapsed, leaving women without access to critical care. As Israeli airstrikes continue and the blockade tightens, healthcare infrastructure is crumbling, maternal health services are disappearing, and gender-based violence (GBV) is on the rise.
Women and girls in Gaza are trapped in an unrelenting cycle of suffering—denied not only the right to safety but also the dignity of basic healthcare. Hospitals are overwhelmed, supplies are running out, and expectant mothers are forced to give birth under unimaginable conditions. In times of war, women’s bodies become battlefields, and in Gaza, this has never been more evident.
This article explores the devastating impact of the war on women and girls in Gaza, from the destruction of healthcare facilities to the skyrocketing rates of sexual violence, and the erasure of reproductive rights in a region already grappling with deep-seated inequalities.
Healthcare Infrastructure in Crisis
Before the escalation of the conflict, Gaza’s healthcare system was already grappling with immense challenges, exacerbated by years of blockades and limited resources. The system struggled with a lack of essential medical supplies, outdated equipment, and overcrowded hospitals. However, the ongoing violence has taken an even greater toll, with critical infrastructure being destroyed or severely damaged. More than half of Gaza’s healthcare facilities have been rendered non-operational or partially destroyed, further straining an already fragile system. This includes hospitals and clinics that provide essential maternal and reproductive health services.
Hospitals and healthcare providers have been forced to prioritize emergency trauma care over routine and preventative healthcare services. For women, this means fewer opportunities for prenatal care, contraceptive counseling, and safe childbirth assistance. Without access to trained obstetricians and midwives, pregnant women are facing severe risks during labor. The lack of blood supplies, oxygen, and other essential medical resources only exacerbates these risks. Maternal mortality rates are rising, with many women unable to reach healthcare facilities for critical care.
Maternal stress caused by direct exposure to military conflict has led to adverse health outcomes, including premature birth, malnutrition, and dehydration in unborn babies. Reports indicate that Israeli attacks have resulted in a 300 per cent increase in miscarriages. Beyond maternal health, women's health is severely impacted by the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, leading to infections among women and girls forced to use unsanitary fabric or clothing during menstruation. Women also face heightened risks of sexual violence, described by the United Nations as "the most ancient, least discussed, and seldom condemned crime of warfare." A recent investigation further revealed "reasonable grounds" to believe that Hamas committed acts of sexual violence during its attack on Israel.
Escalation of Gender-Based Violence and Women's Safety
In addition to the direct impact on healthcare, Gaza has seen a dramatic increase in gender-based violence (GBV). The chaos and displacement caused by Israel’s onslaught on the region have left women and girls vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking. As millions of people are forced into overcrowded shelters and temporary accommodations, the likelihood of women being subjected to abuse increases significantly. In such settings, women are often left without the protection of family or community, making them easy targets for sexual assault and harassment.
With the breakdown of social and legal systems, survivors of gender-based violence are left without support, counseling, or safe spaces. GBV survivors struggle to access trauma care, reproductive health services, or even legal protections. The lack of safe spaces within shelters or displaced camps increases the danger for women, who have few options for reporting abuse or receiving proper medical attention. Psychological care for women affected by violence is similarly limited, and many survivors are forced to endure the trauma without professional support.
Additionally, many health centers that once provided critical services for survivors of sexual violence have been destroyed. The availability of post-rape care, such as emergency contraception and psychological counseling, has dwindled, further compounding the challenges faced by women and girls in Gaza.
Impact on Family Planning and Maternal Health Services
Israel’s attacks in Gaza have severely disrupted access to family planning services, including contraceptive methods and reproductive health counseling. The limited access to clinics and health facilities means that women have been left without access to birth control, leading to unintended pregnancies. This is particularly alarming in a region already experiencing significant social and economic strain. Women who are already vulnerable due to the ongoing conflict now face the added burden of navigating an unplanned pregnancy with little to no healthcare support.
The lack of available family planning options has had wide-reaching consequences, with many women resorting to unsafe methods of terminating pregnancies. Unsafe abortions, which pose significant health risks, have become more prevalent in Gaza, as women who lack access to trained healthcare providers are left to navigate dangerous alternatives. Many women and girls are forced into risky, unsanitary conditions to procure abortions, which can result in long-term health complications and even death.
In addition to these challenges, maternal health services have been severely disrupted. The ability to receive skilled care during labor and delivery is vital to reducing maternal mortality, yet many women in Gaza are giving birth in unsafe, unsanitary conditions with no access to qualified midwives or obstetricians. Many women are forced to give birth in shelters, under unsanitary conditions, and without the support of healthcare professionals, which increases the risks of complications such as infections and postpartum hemorrhage.
A Bleak Outlook for Women and Girls
Sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls in Gaza are in jeopardy. With a healthcare system in ruins, limited access to essential services, and rising levels of gender-based violence, the situation for women is dire. The restrictions on healthcare resources, the lack of access to family planning methods, and the absence of safe spaces for women continue to put them at risk, endangering both their physical and mental well-being.
Immediate action is required to ensure that the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, can access the healthcare services they desperately need. The restoration of healthcare facilities, provision of reproductive health supplies, and the establishment of safe spaces for women are critical steps in safeguarding the rights of women and girls in Gaza and ensuring that they are not left behind in the midst of this crisis.
About the author:
Leisha Toory is the founder of the Human Rights Award-nominated Period Priority Project, a consultant with the United Nations Institute for Social Development and United Nations Institute for Training and Research, an Amnesty Canada Gender Rights Specialized Team member, and holds a BA in Political Science from Memorial University.
