Surviving trauma: Gazan women’s mental health during genocide

This article examines the mental health challenges faced by women in Gaza during genocide, focusing on the psychological, emotional, and physical burdens Gazan women endure. Using a phenomenological approach, the article analyzes the lived experiences of 30 displaced Gazan women residing in shelters in Rafah. Semi-structured interviews and thematic content analysis of Gazan women’s words identified five key themes: the collapse of maternal healthcare services, the emotional weight of motherhood, displacement and its effect on dignity, food insecurity and maternal guilt, and resilience in the face of collective trauma. The findings highlight the detrimental effects of the Israeli destruction of Gazan healthcare, food shortages, and displacement on women's mental health, compounded by gender-based violence and loss of privacy and dignity. Despite these traumatic challenges, the article highlights the resilience of Gazan women, shaped by social support and cultural practices. The article emphasizes the dire need of culturally appropriate interventions to address women's well-being in Gaza.