Trapped in Gaza: The Reality for Women

Despite recent airstrikes on Rafah, our community kitchen remains operational. [PHOTOS ENCLOSED] The following advertisement from Women for Women International has been sent to you via Mother Jones' email list. Mother Jones is a nonprofit, and most of our budget comes from readers like you, but revenue from advertisers helps us produce more of the hard-hitting journalism you expect. We never disclose your information to an advertiser. Mother Jones does not endorse any candidate, political organization, commercial product, or service, and the views expressed in this email do not constitute any endorsement or recommendation by Mother Jones. [Women for Women International] 🚨 [Rush winter clothes, blankets, and warm food to women and families in Gaza >>]( Dear Mother Jones Reader, After months of devastating footage and reports from Gaza, it is still hard to imagine the extent of fear and suffering. For the past three months, Women for Women International has been equipping our local partner, Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care, with funds to run a community kitchen and distribute aid to the women of Gaza. The head of Wefaq is living through the assault and tells us: “We have become the target group I have always tried to serve. We are all refugees now.” “We are living a life where we breathe and eat just to stay alive.” Women are obligated to find food for their children. One woman swore to me that she hadn’t put any food in her mouth in 3 days so that she can find and save bits of food for her little children. Women left their homes without clothing or covers, without their personal needs, without their money. Even if they had money, they have spent it by now. Bathrooms when available are very dirty and they’re not segregated by gender. When it comes to periods, everything is unavailable. One woman was bleeding and started crying because everyone saw her period blood. One of the women said she hadn't showered in a whole month; she and her kids have lice and skin diseases due to poor hygiene.They barely have something to wear, they barely have food for themselves and their children. Women’s features, faces, and bodies have changed. They are not the same as they were before the war. When I ask about their needs, they stay silent. They say there is nothing that we do not need. Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, was the last remaining safe zone for 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Now, it is under siege. The makeshift tents that families are crowding into do little to shelter them from cold winter temperatures and rain. Water and food is scarce. The price of basic goods is astronomical. [With your support, we can help our partners distribute hot meals, warm clothing, and hygiene products to people trapped in Gaza.]( $42 can provide a warm, insulated blanket [Give Now >>]( $55 can provide a woman with trauma-informed counseling [Give Now >>]( $197 can provide a displaced family with winter clothes [Give Now >>]( $468 can operate a community kitchen for a full day [Give Now >>]( [RUSH EMERGENCY DONATION]( We are doing everything we can to ease some of the suffering. Thankfully, the community kitchen has not been damaged in the recent airstrikes on Rafah and remains operational. Our colleagues in Gaza are frightened and weary, but continue to serve women and their families. Your gift will have an immediate impact. [Amani Headshot] In Solidarity, Amani Mustafa Country Director, Palestine Women for Women International [DONATE TO GAZA NOW]( For over 30 years, Women for Women International has invested in women who are forgotten — the survivors of war and conflict. Our mission is to create a world in which all women determine the course of their lives and reach their full potential. Learn more at [womenforwomen.org]( [[ Facebook ]]( [[ Instagram ]]( [[ Twitter ]]( [[ Youtube ]]( [Privacy Policy]( [Mother Jones]( Mother Jones and its nonprofit publisher, the Foundation for National Progress, do not endorse any political candidate, political organization, commercial product, process, or service, and the views expressed in this communication do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Mother Jones. This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755