The Plight of Palestinian Women

On International Women's Day, it's crucial to shine a light on the plight of women in Palestine. Palestinian women living in occupied Palestine face various forms of violence, including physical, psychological, and socio-economic, stemming from the ongoing war and occupation. Reports from human rights organizations highlight instances of violence perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces, including arrests, unlawful detention, and physical abuse, often with detrimental effects on Palestinian women's mental and physical well-being. Additionally, Palestinian women face restrictions on their freedom of movement due to checkpoints, and barriers, which further exacerbates their vulnerability to violence and limits their access to essential services.

As the war on Gaza continues, more reports of violence against women emerge. Women and young girls alike are kidnapped from the streets and arrested without a charge. There is no news about their whereabouts, how they’re doing, or on what charges they are being held. Many of the released female prisoners in Gaza show signs of physical and mental torture, and many more are still missing till this moment. Significantly, UN experts confirmed Palestinian women and girls in Israeli prisons face sexual assault, including strip searches by male soldiers. Some females were raped, and other were threatened with sexual violence[1]. Women and girls, among men and children, are massacred daily in Gaza by Israeli bombs and snipers, who shoot innocent civilians young or old alike. Women and children are executed point-blank range by Israeli soldiers who invade Gaza.

Hundreds of Palestinian women have been arrested since the beginning of the war on Gaza. A huge number of them are detained without charges and are being held in administrative detention. The female prisoners are subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment in Israeli detention centers, denied food and hygienic products. Reports of abuse and ill-treatment of female Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons have been a matter of concern for human rights organizations and activists like: UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and Al-Haq. These reports document instances of physical and psychological ill treatment, which mounts to torture, solitary confinement, denial of medical treatment, and harsh interrogation techniques.

Female Palestinian prisoners, like their male counterparts, are often subjected to arbitrary detention, administrative detention, and imprisonment under military law, which denies them basic due process rights. Many are detained for their involvement in political activities or resistance against the Israeli occupation. On a day that appreciates women for who they are, we call for an end for a permanent ceasefire, and the immediate release of all female prisoners who are held in Israeli detention centers. The Israeli occupation should adhere to international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and conventions, such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. We call justice for the Palestinian people who have been suffering for too long, and the respect of Palestinian women’s rights like all women of the world.