Palestinian women endure increasing violence, depression from Israeli war, survey finds

The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has put Palestinian women in tragic conditions where they suffer increased mental health issues, gender-based violence and difficulties accessing health and menstrual services, a survey has found. 

The new assessment, published on Thursday by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development - Reform, found women in the war-ravaged Strip struggle with interconnected crises amid the war. 

Those include displacement, food insecurity, escalating violence, financial losses and lack of conflict preparedness and prevention knowledge, among other struggles. 

“Women in Gaza are facing a dire situation and are among those hardest hit by the war,” Reform said.

“The war has deprived women and girls of stability and security. Gender-based violence has increased and the protection system has collapsed.” 

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