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BACKGROUND
In Gaza, nearly 700,000 women and girls of menstruating age are facing a menstrual hygiene emergency amidst one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history.
The destruction of infrastructure, mass displacement, and the limited access to sanitary products and WASH services have made it nearly impossible to manage menstruation safely and with dignity.
Since October 2023, over 70 per cent of all infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or partially damaged, including 92 per cent of housing units and 89 per cent of WASH sector assets. Water insecurity now affects 90 per cent of households, forcing families to make impossible choices between drinking, cooking, or washing. In overcrowded shelters, women and girls lack privacy, safe toilets, and access to water, forcing them to adopt coping strategies that compromise both their safety and dignity.
Amid ongoing displacement and aid restrictions, managing menstruation is no longer a matter of discomfort but a daily struggle with serious health, protection, and psychological consequences. Menstruation has become a silent emergency. It is no longer a natural part of life—but a source of distress for hundreds of thousands of women and girls.