RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- Palestinian journalist Najlaa Al-Skafi won the Qarib Journalism Awards 2024 on the category of “Best Coverage of Women Affected by Conflict and Crises” for her article titled “Climate Shocks Women Face in Displacement Camps”, drawing attention to the challenges and difficult living conditions faced by displaced women in tents.

Najlaa Al-Shafi told NuJINHA how she applied for Qarib, a regional program funded by the French Development Agency (French: Agence Française de Développement-AFD) and  implemented by the French Media Development Agency (French: Agence Française de Développement Médias- CFI).

‘Women carry heavy burdens on their shoulders’

Palestinian women carry heavy burdens on their shoulders; however, their efforts are invisible in the media,” said Najlaa Al-Shafi. “The media outlets only report on the death toll in the Gaza Strip without reporting on the difficult living conditions suffered by women in shelter centers. Many displaced women living in shelter centers are widows and the only breadwinners of their families.”

Qarib Journalism Awards are among the most important international journalism awards, Najlaa Al-Skafi told us. “I applied for the awards to break the international silence against the humanitarian crisis suffered by marginalized groups, especially women, in the Gaza Strip. The Qarib is a program supporting media outlets operating in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine in order to boost social cohesion, promote the integration of communities and encourage public debate.”

Women’s role in documenting the war in Gaza

Speaking about the challenges faced by women journalists in war zones, she said, “Women journalists continue to work despite all the challenges. They play an important role in documenting and reporting the war in the Gaza Strip.”

Najlaa Al-Shafi wrote her article by interviewing seven displaced women living in shelter centers in Gaza. “They told me what they face in tent camps due to extreme heat in summer and freezing temperatures in winter. My article focuses on women’s health issues, analyzing the negative consequences of lack of health facilities on women’s health.”

‘They struggle to survive’

Najlaa Al-Shafi also had to leave her home and then her city due to Israeli attacks. “We were displaced to the south of the Gaza Strip and waited in lines for hours to get a piece of bread. We had no safe place, like other women fleeing their homes not to be killed. Displaced Palestinian women struggle to survive in shelter centers without food, water, hygienic supplies and privacy.”

‘We should not lose our hope’

The award motivates Najlaa Al-Shafi to do journalism despite all the difficult living conditions. “As women journalists, we struggle against many challenges. Palestinian people are also human beings, having dreams, hopes and goals. However, our dreams, hopes and goals have been attacked for over 435 days. They took our hopes away. But we still strive to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.”