Amal Syam, Director General of the Women’s Affairs Center (WAC) in Gaza, stated that Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip continue to endure severe and compounding hardships as a result of the ongoing siege, political division, and deteriorating socio-economic conditions, in addition to the impact of COVID-19.
She explained that the prolonged blockade imposed on Gaza since 2006, along with repeated military offensives and internal divisions, has created an increasingly unlivable reality for women, worsening poverty, unemployment, and exposure to violence.
Deepening Gender-Based Violence and Structural Inequality
Amal Syam noted that the difficult living conditions, combined with patriarchal social norms and weak legal protections, have significantly increased levels of gender-based violence against women and girls in Gaza.
She highlighted that surveys indicate high rates of violence against women, with women in Gaza being among the most affected due to economic dependency, limited services, and lack of safe protection mechanisms.
COVID-19 and the Collapse of Protection Systems
She further stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing vulnerabilities, particularly as women carried additional caregiving burdens and faced increased domestic violence during lockdowns and movement restrictions.
Amal Syam pointed out that the closure of courts and support services during crises further limited women’s access to justice, leaving many without legal or psychological support.
She also emphasized that women entrepreneurs, workers, and breadwinners were heavily impacted, as many small businesses led by women were forced to shut down, deepening economic insecurity.
Call for Protection and Justice
Amal Syam stressed the urgent need to strengthen protection systems for women in Gaza, ensure access to justice, and enhance the role of civil society organizations in addressing gender-based violence.
She concluded that Palestinian women continue to live within a “cycle of violence, deprivation, and occupation,” calling for sustainable solutions that guarantee safety, dignity, and equality.
