Gaza: The silent struggles of adolescent girls
Gaza City, Gaza (PANA) - “Our whole life became a tragedy,” said 15-year-old Mariam after 15 months of war in Gaza.
“The lack of medicine, poor food, contaminated water – and we were displaced from one place to another, living in tents,” she told UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency.
The unseen burden
Mariam’s story is one among countless others, of young girls grappling with trauma and displacement, living in dire conditions across Gaza. The war has devastated communities, forcing families from their homes multiple times and leaving widespread psychological scars.
A recent report revealed that over half of Gaza’s young people feel unsafe, with 91 per cent reporting worsening health conditions. “We are forced to live in overcrowded tents, with no privacy,” said 14-year-old Fatima.
“The heat is unbearable, and there’s no clean water.”
Need for support
The impact on adolescent girls has been particularly harsh. The lack of menstrual products, hygiene facilities and clean water heightens the risk of infections.
Gender-based violence and exploitation are also rising, especially in overcrowded shelters. “We were displaced almost nine times and lost family members,” said 18-year-old Sara.
“There is no safety, and we live in constant fear of losing more.”
UNFPA, in partnership with local organizations, is providing crucial support through psychosocial counselling, educational initiatives, and awareness campaigns.
Temporary educational spaces and recreational programmes have given girls like Layla a sense of hope.
“Through the educational initiatives, I could get back to school and become a peer support to my relatives and children in the displacement camp,” she said.
A glimmer of hope.
The news of the ceasefire has brought some relief for the one million women and girls who have endured 470 days of bombardment.
In 2025, UNFPA plans to set up multi-purpose youth centres and girls’ tents across Gaza, offering mental health interventions, education, and essential resources.
“My greatest ambition is to go back home and see my friends,” said Layla. “I have started to return to how I was before.”
-0-PANA RA 23Jan2025
