As the year draws to a close, people started to exchange end-of-year reflections, New Year’s resolutions, and heartfelt New Year greetings for 2024 across various social media platforms.
But one Palestinian journalist in Gaza Hind Khoudari, who had been reporting non stop from the Gaza Strip had a different end-of-year message:
She tweeted:
“I never thought I would be tweeting begging the world for sanitary products.
NEVER in my life thought I would be here.”
“Guys, I am serious bring in carefree and daily liners into Gaza. There has been no liners in Gaza for more than a month now.”
Uncomfortable.
Awkward.
Truth
That is the reality of women and young girls in Gaza.
A topic that is often overlooked and stigmatized. No one wants to talk about the consequences of Israel’s blockade on Gaza women and their menstruation.
A month ago, journalist Roudayna Raydan reported about the dire living conditions in overcrowded shelters and widespread displacement in the Gaza strip, that are forcing Gaza women to resort to unconventional measures to delay their menstrual cycle.
Women and girls in Gaza are turning to Norethisterone, a medication typically prescribed for severe menstrual pain, heavy bleeding, and endometriosis, that is now being used as a means of delaying menstruation.
In her article, Roudayna reports that:
“The dire circumstances coupled with trauma stemming from the conflict have a severe impact on the women and girls in Gaza including an increased likelihood of urinary tract infections, childbirth complications, and transmission of infections such as hepatitis B and thrush due to neglecting hand cleanliness as a part of product change practices.
The inadequate provision of hygiene supplies in Gaza exposes women and girls to diseases and infections while also undermining their dignity.”
In moments such as when Hind Khoudari poignantly poses questions towards global feminists on Twitter or when Roudayna Raydan pens a comprehensive article highlighting the gravity of the situation, one can’t help but wonder – where does UN Women stand amidst all this?
Well, if you must ask, besides having a grandiose campaign to end the menstruation stigma around the world, they are currently busy investigating and possibly preparing to fire a dedicated senior UNWomen staffer, Sarah Douglas, who has been tweeting in support of Palestinians and against the Israeli genocide since the start of the Gaza war.
One may ask why?
An Israeli blog launched a campaign and a petition demanding that Sarah Douglas be fired and lobbied with two American senators to fire her, calling her a “terrorist sympathizer”. Thus the Israeli propaganda machine unleashed its wrath on her.
Mr. Secretary-General,
UNWomen Chief, Ms. Sima Bahous,
How can you uphold the dignity of women in Gaza when you’re incapable of doing the same for your own staff at the United Nations?
When you are incapable of protecting your own UN staff?
When all you do is succumb to the Israeli disinformation, propaganda, and hate speech campaigns?
When the wave of misrepresentation and deceitful narratives against Sarah Douglas is essentially because she is married to a Palestinian individual?
UN Women:
Do you want to end the stigma: could you start by protecting your own staff.
#UNWomen
It’s time align your actions to your declarations.
