Around the world, an estimated 1.8 billion people menstruate. Though,for many,particularly those in crisis zones,menstruation presents significant challenges far beyond mere inconvenience.

in the war-stricken region of Gaza, approximately 700,000 women and girls of menstruating age, including a significant number experiencing their first periods, grapple with this issue amidst relentless conflict and within overcrowded, unsanitary environments offering minimal privacy.

A Human Rights Issue

The UNFPA cautions that the restricted availability of menstrual products,coupled with limited access to clean water and soap,renders it exceedingly tough for women and girls to maintain menstrual hygiene with dignity.

As March,an aid blockade has severely diminished the availability of essential hygiene items,including sanitary pads. Although authorities temporarily eased restrictions last month, allowing UN agencies to deliver limited quantities of supplies like flour and medicine, the overall need remains unmet.

As late May,aid distribution has been facilitated through a system supported by the United States and Israel,which bypasses the UN and other humanitarian organizations. However, the aid provided falls considerably short of addressing the extensive requirements.

Nearly 90 per cent of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has suffered damage or destruction,further compounded by the unavailability of fuel necesary for water pumping operations.

“Sometimes I need pads and soap more than I need food.”

“I sat in silence crying”

According to the UNFPA, a young girl recounted her experience of getting her period while seeking refuge in a packed displacement camp.

“I onyl had one pad, so I wrapped it in toilet paper to make it last. I couldn’t wash, and the pain was horrible. I sat in silence crying until the end of the day.”

With nine out of ten households facing severe water scarcity, the absence of clean water, soap, and privacy has transformed menstruation into a source of distress, isolation, and shame. according to Aisha*, a displaced girl, “Sometimes I need pads and soap more than I need food.”

Desperate Measures, Hazardous Consequences

With less than 25% of the required 10 million sanitary pads available each month, women and girls are resorting to makeshift alternatives. Many are using torn clothing, sponges, or old rags, often without proper cleaning.

“I tore my only shirt into pieces so my daughters could use them instead of pads,” shared a father of four displaced from Jabalia.

These improvised solutions are not only painful and undignified but also pose a risk of infections and long-term reproductive health complications.With the healthcare system teetering on the edge of collapse, numerous women might potentially be deprived of necessary medical attention.

The psychological impact is equally profound. “Every time my period comes, I wish I weren’t a girl,” said one of the girls.

Stripping Away Dignity

Speaking from a healthcare perspective, but also as a woman, a doctor in Gaza described treating women coping with menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth under horrifying conditions.

“These should be natural experiences, not sources of distress and pain. I see strength in women’s eyes, but I also see deep pain and the stripping away of dignity,” she said.

A woman and child walk through the rubble of gaza.

In emergency situations, women and girls are among the most at-risk. According to UN agencies, they face heightened risks due to displacement and the breakdown of normal protection structures and support. They also face increased care-related tasks such as providing food and water.

“Food keeps us alive, but pads, soap, and privacy let us live with dignity,” said Maysa*, a displaced woman in Khan Younis.”When we receive hygiene kits, it feels like someone finally sees us.”

How UNFPA is Responding

As a frontline responder, the UNFPA is dedicated to integrating menstrual health into humanitarian efforts in Gaza. As October 2023, the agency has supplied over 300,000 women and girls with two-month supplies of disposable menstrual pads and distributed postpartum kits to more than 12,000 new mothers.

However, after three months of a complete aid blockade, supplies have dwindled to near exhaustion. With border crossings closed,hygiene kits are unable to reach those who desperately need them. Recent aid deliveries by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation included food, flour, medicine, and nutritional support, according to media reports.

The UN continues to call for immediate assistance for women and girls trapped in some of the world’s most overlooked crises.

*Names have been changed for protection.