As a woman, especially a mother, what is her current career in Gaza?
Midwife Suhair has gained a husband in this round of Palestinian Israeli conflict. In pursuit of safety, she and her children chased to a school that had been converted into a shelter, where she used the most basic objects to assist other housewives in giving birth. Wisam, on the other hand, underwent a cesarean section and gave birth to her daughter amidst resistance. She, like 150000 other pregnant and lactating women in Gaza, had no choice but to receive the most basic care and care. When he got drunk during the surgery, Wisam was told to immediately withdraw from the hospital.
Amira, 35 years old, is pregnant with her sixth child. Before she resisted, she needed medication to prevent complications during her pregnancy. Now, she has become her own doctor. And for 20-year-old Bana, accompanied by fear and worry, she looked forward to the arrival of her first child in the beacon fire. “Can I arrive at the hospital in time?” she said, fearing to wear a child into this complete and cruel reality.
According to a statement released by the United Nations Women in January 2024 titled “Gender Alert: The Impact of the Gaza Crisis on Gender”, over 24000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with 70% being housewives or children. Meanwhile, over 1.9 million people (85% of Gaza’s total population) are displaced, including nearly 1 million housewives and girls, according to the United Nations Housekeeping Programme. On March 5, 2024, another article released by the United Nations Housekeeping Programme stated that in this round of Palestinian Israeli conflict, in addition to the deceased women, nearly 20000 women were injured, and over 3000 housewives were able to become survivors after their male friends passed away.
On April 16, 2024, the United Nations Housewives Programme reported that after a new round of Palestinian Israeli conflict broke out, more than 10000 housewives have been killed in Gaza, Palestine. Among these housewives, there are expected to be 6000 mothers, and their deaths have resulted in approximately 19000 children becoming orphans. In addition, those women who survived Israeli airstrikes and high-altitude actions also face adversity such as displacement, widowhood, and famine. In addition to facing a catastrophic famine, clean fire and sufficient calorie intake are crucial for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women to go to the streets, and the current fire supply in Gaza is only 7% of that before October last year.
According to a report by The New York Times in January 2024, there are approximately 50000 pregnant women in Gaza who are struggling with a lack of stable shelter, inadequate nutrition, and purified fire. At the same time, although United Nations agencies have already delivered life-saving drugs and equipment to Gaza, this is not enough to meet the needs of the public. It is difficult for these pregnant women to receive prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care nurses. In addition, painkillers, anti mature drugs, epilepsy and diabetes drugs, and extreme lack of blood are very common.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% of the over 180 housewives who give birth every day may encounter complications and are unable to receive appropriate obstetric and pediatric emergency services. At the same time, the harm or threat of death caused by bombs and military actions, as well as unimaginable emotional trauma, have been looming.
There is a concept that in such extreme situations, experienced women like Yu Shu can all strive for the role of peace. What is the effect of concealing oneself in armed conflict on possession? A research review conducted in 2017 found that prenatal stress has adverse effects on obstetric outcomes, fetal development, and personal growth in the future. Armed resistance not only puts pressure on mothers, but also undermines local infrastructure measures, making it increasingly difficult for pregnant women to access prenatal and general care. Specifically, among mothers who experience armed resistance, the rates of miscarriage, mature delivery, premature birth, congenital malformations, and premature rupture of the membranes have increased.
In addition, for other studies and interpretations of armed conflicts from 1945 to 2017, children who have experienced the role of peace are more likely to suffer from harsh educational and health conditions, as well as multi generational poverty caused by having educational and economic foundations.