Finding dignity amid genocide: Menstrual hygiene management among female university students in Gaza

Aim: To examine the state of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among female university students in Gaza, with a particular focus on access to menstrual materials and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Method: This study employed an exploratory cross-sectional survey design targeting female university students, using a structured online questionnaire. Items related to MHM were adapted from the Arabic MHM Toolkit Mini Guide. The survey was distributed through social media, university listservs and networks, and online student group platforms. Data were collected between November 2024 and December 2024. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they were identified as female, enrolled in a university, and residents of Gaza. Results: Our sample comprised 214 participants. Most respondents (95.3%) reported using sanitary pads during menstruation. Almost half of the participants (46.7%) were able to change their pads only once or twice per day, closely aligning with the 48.6% who perceived their frequency of pad changes as inadequate. Approximately 17% of participants lacked access to a safe and private space to change menstrual materials, while nearly 40% lacked access to a safe and private space for bathing during menstruation. Additionally, 22.4% of participants were unable to regularly clean their external genitalia with water and soap during menstruation, and 14.5% reported a lack of trash bins for the disposal of pads or cloth materials. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the distressing realities of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and its impact on women and girls of reproductive age. There is an acute shortage of menstrual materials—particularly menstrual pads—along with other hygiene items (e.g. soap) and WASH facilities to support proper menstrual hygiene practices. We call on the international community and governments to act jointly to establish an immediate, permanent ceasefire and to facilitate the timely entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.