Faten Atallah of Gaza: Women look for ways to make a living
“There are thousands of women who look for ways to make a living in Gaza,” said Faten Atallah, one of Gazan women facing the most brutal war. She sells tobacco in the streets of Gaza to earn a living.
NAGHAM KARAJEH
Gaza- The death toll in Israel's attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2024 has kept rising. At least 31,923 Palestinians, including 14,000 children and 9,000 women, have been killed and 74, 934 others have been injured in Israel’s attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the statement released by the Gaza’s health ministry on Wednesday. Aid agencies say that a million people in Gaza face starvation and more than two million experience acute food shortage.
‘Women are subjected to violence’
Gazans facing starvation and diseases in unsafe and unhealthy conditions cannot even meet their most basic needs. Faten Atallah is one of them. When her house was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike, she lost her livelihood. “Gazan women are arrested and subjected to physical and psychological violence by the Israeli forces,” she told NuJINHA.
‘The war has doubled our suffering’
After losing her livelihood, she began to look for ways to earn a living for herself and her family. “The war has doubled our suffering. I sell tobacco to earn a living now. We have to meet our basic needs instead of waiting for help from others.”
‘I have to work even if I face difficulties’
Faten Atallah works nine hours a day to sell tobacco in the streets. My health is deteriorating. I have to work even if I face difficulties,” said Fateh Atallah, emphasizing that there are thousands of women like her in Gaza. “We share the same suffering. The international community must develop a plan to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza and to protect Gazan women.”
‘Take urgent steps for Palestinian women’
Speaking about the International Women’s Day, March 8, she said, “All over the world, women took to the streets for their gains; however, the Gazan women had to protect themselves. We will not forget what we have been experiencing for years. I call on the international community to take urgent steps to provide a safe environment for Palestinian women and to protect them from this brutal war. All countries must put pressure on Israel to stop its violations against women in Gaza.”