NAGHAM KARAJEH 

Gaza- Women living in the southern Gaza Strip struggle to survive due to the Israeli siege while they have to deal with gender-based violence caused by the patriarchal mentality. Despite everything, they are determined to struggle. 

“We face double violence and double challenges in the south, especially since we live in rural areas near the eastern border suffering from the lack of basic services,” said Sobha Sarhan, one of the women who lives in the southern Gaza Strip. 

Speaking about the challenges faced by women, she said, “Women have no access to services such as water and electricity, which make them walk for hours to meet their needs. As women, we also suffer from an economic crisis and extreme poverty. There is no job opportunity or source of income for women. They also bear a heavier burden at home while trying to earn a living for their families.” 

‘Women should know their rights’ 

Sobha Sarhan thinks that infrastructure construction and vital needs should be provided in order to facilitate the lives of women. In her speech, she stressed that women’s rights are ignored in society. “Early marriage is one of the challenges faced by women and girls. They are also deprived of their rights to inheritance. For this reason, women should know their rights and play an active role in society to raise their voices against early marriage and gender-based violence. Awareness-raising campaigns should be launched to end violence against women and early marriage.” 

Like other women living in the southern Gaza Strip, Sobha Sarhan also suffers from economic problems. Due to her poor financial conditions, she decided to start a small agricultural project called “The Lighthouse”. Her project provides job opportunities for a group of women. 

“Dozens of women work for seven hours a day. However, the power outages and water shortages damage crops. We live in a region where the traditional patriarchal concepts dominate,” she said. 

 Shatha Akram is one of the women struggling to survive in the town of Al-Mawasi on the southern coast of the Gaza Strip. “We try to struggle to survive due to the deteriorating living conditions because we have no alternative. We face double challenges due to customs and traditions. 

Shatha Akram is one of the women working for the project of Sobha Sarhan. “I have to work to complete my university education. Many women and girls are deprived of their right to education by their families.” Shatha Akram believes that small projects are the only option for marginalized women in the southern Gaza Strip.