Arab Women in Crisis: Strength and Survival
Today, the US will elect a new president. This has consequences us all — and also for women in Palestine and Lebanon.
[This article is also posted on IPPF’s site at https://www.ippf.org/featured-perspective/arab-women-crisis-strength-and-survival]
War is brutal for all innocent civilians, but it is especially brutal for women.
Today, the Arab region is being torn apart — a genocide in Gaza now more than one year in the making, settler violence in the West Bank, and, in the last month, a renewed Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
In these crises — and in every crisis — women bear the brunt. With social safety nets shredded, law and order a distant memory, women and girls — already at higher risk in the best of times — face life-threatening danger at every turn.
I’ve seen it firsthand — Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Mali, the list goes on. I’ve spent over two decades helping mitigate the risks women experience in war and its aftermath. In these settings, women have less choice, less voice, less access to opportunity. They are struggling for survival while navigating displacement and a magnified risk of violence.
Women become the backbone, the safety net, the fighters for survival amidst chaos. But survival comes at a cost.
And now, as a Lebanese-Palestinian women’s rights expert, activist, and writer, this pain feels even more acute.
Today, the US will have its presidential election. This has consequences for Palestine and Lebanon, certainly, but also globally.
Between the two candidates — Harris and Trump — no matter who wins, humanity will lose. Peace will lose. And, women will lose.
It is not a secret that the US has been funding this genocide and actively enabling Israel to continue its crimes with American tax dollars. With that in mind, the upcoming election presents a dilemma. Do we vote for our principles, ticking the box for a Third Party candidate that we know won’t win? Do we risk another Trump presidency? Do we settle for Harris and the Democrats, who have enabled this genocide in the first place, and — worse, still — have vowed to continue their unwavering support for Israel?
The lesser of two evils is still evil.
Harris reiterates the AIPAC party line — “Israel’s right to defend itself” — but in the same breath she supports “Palestinians’ right to have dignity, self-determination, and security.” With ample funding from the Israeli lobby, this seems a contradiction. This right to self-defense actively undermines the right to “dignity, self-determination, and security.” Harris advocates for hostage release — while conveniently omitting the thousands of Palestinian hostages held in Israel, some of whom are children.
And on the other side, Trump hypothesizes that if he had been President the October 7 attacks “would have never happened.” Although he fails to articulate a political plan of action, his position is abundantly clear: Israel is his priority. He grotesquely articulated to Netanyahu to “get your victory,” further asserting that Netanyahu “knows what he’s doing.”
Meanwhile, Biden continues to issue carte blanche to Israel in his final days in office. This position has alienated many. With more than 700,000 uncommitted in Primaries, it seems that genocide is a red line for voters. At the same time, Palestine is not a singular issue. It cuts across all issues that should concern us: human rights, gender equality, climate change, land rights, and more. It should call into question everything we believe about social justice, and more alarmingly, about who does — and does not — have the right to live in freedom and peace.
Today that peace seems more elusive than ever. We are in a time of crisis. And we know from decades of research and experience that in times of crisis, women are the foundation of families, communities, and countries. Women are the world’s social safety net. And yet, their voices are too often silenced. We rarely hear about the experiences of women from their own perspectives and in their own words.
Here, three women — from Gaza, Lebanon, West Bank — speak for themselves.
Huda Shaaban — Gaza
Midwife in the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Agency (PFPPA)
This is me providing consultations on sexually transmitted infections to a displaced woman in a camp in Gaza. We go from tent to tent to provide services and support.
The situation in Gaza continues to be dire. For one year, Israeli forces have been relentless in their death and destruction of the Gaza Strip, killing 41,689, injuring over 100,000, and rendering 1.9 million homeless. And these are just the reported numbers — the reality is likely much higher. There are hardly any buildings left standing. Hospitals and schools have been destroyed. Nowhere is safe. Despite repeated calls for ceasefire throughout this brutal year, the genocide continues — and shows no signs of abating.
Tell us about your experience as a woman living through the genocide.
As a woman raising three children, I feel extremely scared, exhausted and tired due to the circumstances we are living in, particularly with the massacres that we wake up to day and night, in addition to the genocide which is happening to families when they are supposed to be safe in their homes or tents.
Hanan, from the West Bank, had this to say about life in Gaza:
In Gaza, life has become a constant cycle of displacement and survival. Since October 2023, women and girls have been forced to move from one place to another, constantly fleeing the destruction of their homes and watching their families struggle to stay alive. They live in displacement camps, where resources are scarce, but their strength and resilience are evident in the way they carry on with their daily lives, despite the unimaginable circumstances. Every moment, they are on high alert, listening for the sound of missiles and watching the sky for any sign of danger. The terror of waiting for an attack, not knowing if it will hit their home or their neighbor’s, is a weight they carry with them every day.
Amidst the chaos, there is no relief. Camps lack basic facilities — there is little to no access to food, clean water, or even the most basic shelter. Families are left helpless, especially people with disabilities, who have no access to the assistive devices they need to survive. Children, some barely old enough to understand the full horror of the situation, take on adult responsibilities, such as fetching water from contaminated wells or, when there is no other option, from the sea. The burden of survival falls heavily on their small shoulders, and the innocence of childhood is stripped away.
For pregnant women, the situation is even more dire. With hospitals bombed or unable to function due to lack of supplies and electricity, many are forced to give birth in the most unsafe conditions imaginable — at home, without medical assistance, surrounded by fear and uncertainty. The right to a safe birth, once a fundamental reproductive right, has been shattered. As chemical weapons and constant violence tear through their lives, the idea of bringing new life into the world becomes a cruel reality — where birth itself is now under threat.
These women, girls, children, and families are living in a space where survival means more than just finding food and water. It means holding onto their humanity in the face of destruction. The attacks aren’t just on their homes or infrastructure; they are on their very existence, an attempt to erase them, to make their lives, their futures, impossible. Yet, in their steadfastness, they refuse to be erased. They persist, even as the world around them crumbles. This is their reality, a daily fight to hold onto life, hope, and each other.
What is the greatest risk for you right now? What are your urgent needs?
The biggest risk and greatest danger we are facing now is the sudden targeting and bombing of the camps crowded with displaced persons in areas that were announced as “safe.” The reality is nowhere is safe. We also worry about the current weather conditions as winter is getting closer, particularly for those living in tents. The cold will set in, making it harder for those living outside to survive. All that we need is to be safe. And we are not.
What are the longer term concerns for you — and for women and girls?
We are terrified that this war will continue. It has been one year already. And we worry for the terrible economic conditions we are facing. We cannot survive this because Gaza has nothing left. The obliteration of the infrastructure and destruction of the health and education systems means we have been set back for generations. And our children are losing their future, losing their hope. Our lives are being wasted.
What is the most important thing the world should know? What’s the one action we can take right now to help you?
It is important for the world to know that Gaza is a city that loves living peacefully and enjoying life. We strive to build and deliver our best so that we can survive, regardless of the circumstances we live in which makes life extremely difficult, particularly with the closure of all borders and the lack of opportunities for work.
Our only hope for the world is to put an end to the genocide.
Moufeeda Haidar — Lebanon
Gender Equality Specialist
This is me in Baalbek, the historic ruins now at risk of destruction by Israel.
What’s happening in Lebanon?
In the last few weeks, Israel has invaded Lebanon both by air and land, killing thousands and displacing over 1 million people — 20% of the country’s population. Buildings — and entire neighborhoods — have been destroyed. Schools are shut, hospitals are full, and too many are homeless. Healthcare facilities are being deliberately targeted, and healthcare workers killed, meaning people who need care are unable to access it. The situation is dire, and escalates daily.
Tell us about your experience as a woman living through this crisis.
I come from an area that is currently under heavy bombing by Israel. While most of my family has relocated to a relatively safer area, some of my relatives remain, facing the brutality of intense bombing with little access to basic necessities. Over the past week, I’ve done everything I can to check on the safety of the people I know, yet I still live in constant fear of losing my home or loved ones who remain there. This experience is a painful reminder of the wars in 1996 and 2006, but with even more brutality. The current conflict has displaced 1.2 million people in less than a week, making it the largest displacement in Lebanon’s modern history.
I work with feminist, youth-led organizations made up of people who either live in the conflict zones and have been displaced or are offering support in supposedly “safer” areas. This reveals the magnitude of the crises we are facing. Everyone is affected.
Women and girls are in an especially difficult situation, trying to protect their families while needing personal space, access to hygiene products, and medication. Syrian refugees and migrant workers are experiencing even greater discrimination, as many have been excluded from shelters. We cannot overlook the specific cultural and religious needs of many of the displaced women. Safety and security in shelters for women and children are of utmost concern. With the absence of an adequate emergency response, civil society and young people are stepping up to address these challenges with whatever resources we have. Additionally, we must not ignore the immense psychological burden and uncertainty many are enduring.
What is the greatest risk for you right now? What are your urgent needs?
Living in constant uncertainty, unsure of how safe we truly are or how long that safety will last, even in so-called “safe” areas, is one of the hardest parts. None of us know how this war will evolve or when it might end. Wars like this hit women and girls and vulnerable communities the hardest, making their already difficult situations even worse. It’s not just about protecting yourself, but about protecting and worrying for your whole community. No one is safe until we all are. Right now, survival has come down to the basics — families left their homes in a matter of minutes, with no time to pack or plan, and no idea where they were headed. They left behind everything, just trying to stay alive.
What are the longer-term concerns for you — and for women and girls?
Winter is approaching, bringing heavy rains and cold weather, while people remain in shelters with minimal access to basic necessities. Schools are still closed, and there has been no decision from the Minister of Education regarding whether learning will be online or hybrid in certain areas, which jeopardizes the future of young girls. There is a growing fear of shortages in food and medical supplies, especially as Israel continues to bomb factories, civil defense facilities, and medical centers, showing a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and human rights law. This also affects the availability of healthcare services, particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as access to hygiene products.
What’s the most important thing the world should know? What’s the one action we can take right now to help you?
Take the streets, go on strikes, and pressure your governments to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon. Thousands of civilians are being killed, and millions more are impacted. The effects are not just immediate; they will resonate across future generations. Children are witnessing death, losing their limbs, their education, and their futures. The consequences are far-reaching — don’t underestimate their severity. Help us gather funds, so we can respond to the needs in the absence of the government.
Don’t remain silent — raise your voices as loudly as possible.
Hanan Kaoud — West Bank
Local Council Member of Ramallah Municipality and Gender Expert
This photo of me was taken in Jerusalem, the Capital of Palestine.
The Occupied West Bank of Palestine hardly makes the news, but that doesn’t mean it is immune to this crisis. Just the opposite: daily Israeli incursions and rampant settler violence have resulted in the death and displacement of many residents. Israeli forces recently stormed and shut down the Ramallah office of Al Jazeera, creating a news black-out. Meaning, crimes and abuses continue with impunity — and without media reporting.
Tell us about your experience as a woman living through the genocide.
Imagine waking up in the dead of night to the sound of footsteps pounding outside your home, followed by the crash of a door being forced open. For families across the West Bank and Gaza, this isn’t a nightmare — it’s a reality. Settler violence, house demolitions, and night raids are regular occurrences, sowing fear into everyday life. Picture the family living in a small home, already crumbling from years of neglect due to the lack of permits and resources. Now, imagine the home being destroyed, the walls reduced to rubble, not because of natural causes, but because of an army bulldozer enforcing demolition orders. For these families, rebuilding isn’t an option. Permits to reconstruct their homes are nearly impossible to obtain, and without quality housing, they are left vulnerable to both physical and emotional devastation.
In the West Bank, settlers expand their homes, taking over more land as if it were unclaimed. Meanwhile, Palestinian families are forced to watch as their own homes are torn apart, sometimes with only minutes’ warning to gather what they can. The pain is not just in the material loss but in the sense of powerlessness, knowing that the expansion of settlements continues with no regard for the communities that have lived there for generations.
You see what is happening in Gaza. But you don’t see the West Bank. Or East Jerusalem.
East Jerusalem, once home to thriving Palestinian communities, now faces the forcible transfer of its residents. Laws like the family reunification law make it almost impossible for families to live together if one member is from the West Bank or Gaza. This collective punishment splits families apart, forcing them into exile or pushing them into increasingly smaller and less secure areas. The threat of losing your home because of who you married or where you come from is a constant, heavy burden.
What is the greatest risk for you right now? What are your urgent needs?
Right now, my biggest worry is staying safe. We need basics, safe spaces, and protection. It feels like we, the people of Palestine and Lebanon, are fighting for survival every single day.
This is the reality of living under settler violence and occupation. It’s not just the physical destruction of homes or the expansion of settlements; it’s the systematic dismantling of hope, security, and dignity. Every day is a battle to survive, to keep hold of what little remains, and to find the strength to resist in the face of oppression.
What are the longer-term concerns for you — and for women and girls?
Women, especially those who stand on the front lines defending human rights, are targeted specifically. They are harassed, attacked, and arrested, their voices silenced as they call for justice. The threat is not just to them as individuals but to the entire fabric of Palestinian society, where women play a critical role in advocating for peace and equality.
Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, an example.
I am more concerned about the right to live freely, not just for women and girls, but for all Palestinians. We deserve safety, dignity, justice, and equality. But that won’t happen as long as the U.S. keeps arming Israeli Zionist project expansion in the Middle East. The war needs to end, and the world has to start holding those responsible accountable.
What’s the most important thing the world should know? What’s the one action we can take right now to help you?
As a Palestinian, I’ve been through crisis after crisis for over 50 years; colonization and occupation are shadows that never lift. But I stay strong, like those in Gaza and Beirut facing bombings and the killing of innocents. Our steadfastness, history, culture, and faith are what keep us going.
Our struggle is not about proving our humanity, we know who we are. What we need is for governments around the world to find their humanity and act on it. Yes, war must stop now, but more than that, we need a world that stands for justice and the liberation of Palestinians. You can help by pushing for stopping the war in the Middle East. You can help by building coalitions and advancing your solidarity efforts — together we the people of the world are power makers; act on it to resist a Zionist project that aims to control the Middle East.
Be brave.
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The words of these women are even more critical in our present political moment. The genocide concerns us. The invasion of Lebanon concerns us. And even for those who are not American, this election concerns us. None of this stays neatly confined within its borders. And with the risk of wider war quite literally at our doorstep, we have no choice but to take action.
To echo Hanan’s words, “what we need is for governments around the world to find their humanity and act on it.” It is long overdue.
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