Zaman Bajwa<\/p>\n
On March 8th, we commemo\u00adrate International Women\u2019s Day, a global acknowledg\u00adment of women\u2019s social, economic, cultural, and political achieve\u00adments. However, it is essen\u00adtial to recognize the atroci\u00adties endured by numerous women in conflict zones such as Gaza, Ukraine, Kashmir, and elsewhere on battlefields. These wom\u00aden are not mere spectators; they are mothers, daughters, educa\u00adtors, doctors, and leaders who form the societal backbone. Despite the devastation of war and battle, where their rights are frequently violated and their voices silenced, they dem\u00adonstrate extraordinary resilience. Their resilience in the face of adver\u00adsity is a powerful demonstration of the human spirit\u2019s strength.
\nThe conflict has far-reaching con\u00adsequences for women. Gender-based violence is frequently used in wartime to foster fear and control over societies. Many women in war zones face catastrophic circum\u00adstances like sexual assault, forced marriages, and trafficking.
\nIn the face of never ending sor\u00adrows of war, displacement from their houses to refugee camps and most of the time to open skies further adds to these women\u2019s hardships. Most of the women are responsible for caring for their families in dense\u00adly congested refugee camps where necessities like food and water are in short supply. For example, UN Wom\u00aden estimates that the outbreak of vi\u00adolence and destruction in Ukraine has displaced about 493,000 wom\u00aden and girls. According to UN Wom\u00aden, conflict zones account for 60% of all preventable maternal deaths. According to Human Rights Watch, amid humanitarian crises, one out of every five refugee or displaced women is expected to face sexual vi\u00adolence, and the true ratio is likely far higher. Education, another pertinent right of every human being either man or woman, is greatly impacted by war. According to UNESCO, girls living in conflict-affected nations are 2.5 times more likely to be absent from school than girls living in war zones. Menstrual discomfort might be much worse in conflict zones due to a lack of painkillers and proper sanitary facilities. For instance, the Australian Human Rights Institute UNSW reports that in Gaza, wom\u00aden have reported a scarcity of water, pads, toilet paper, soap, and sanitary goods, which has led to severe health hazards. In the absence of Interna\u00adtional Humanitarian Aid, the use of temporary sanitary solutions such as rags or leaves harbor bacteria, in\u00adcreasing the risk of diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). A report published in the Pulitzer Center stated that women in Kash\u00admir have been forced to wear cloth instead of sanitary pads, risking in\u00adfection and death from toxic shock syndrome. The stress of living in a combat zone, along with physical discomfort and a lack of control over menstrual hygiene, can have a nega\u00adtive influence on their mental health. In Ukraine, women are forced to pick between sanitary products and food, which adds to their psycholog\u00adical distress.
\nThere is a never-ending list of challenges faced by these resilient women in conflict zones. They are nothing but heroes and survivors. Over-pumping and poisoning from seawater intrusion, sewage, and ag\u00adricultural run-off have worsened Gaza\u2019s water situation. This condi\u00adtion endangers pregnant mothers and newborns. Malnutrition and stress, combined with unsanitary living conditions, have impaired the immune systems of these women in conflict zones, rendering them more vulnerable to a variety of infections. Women in Kashmir have experi\u00adenced reproductive health difficul\u00adties as a result of the trauma caused by the violence at the hands of Indi\u00adan forces. In Ukrainian soil, the rate of preterm deliveries has quadru\u00adpled or threefold increased in the past couple of months due to dis\u00adtress and health problems linked to the battle. Moreover, treatment by non-professional medical workers and the absence of the right medi\u00adcal equipment have made childbirth even more difficult.
\nThe UN\u2019s theme for International Women\u2019s Day 2024, \u201cInvest in Wom\u00aden: Accelerate Progress,\u201d connects deeply with the challenges of women in crisis zones. By directing resourc\u00ades toward their safety, health, and empowerment, we may pave the way for a future in which they not only survive and thrive but also they will be exercising a vital part in creating a more equitable and peaceful world. What can be done in Gaza for these strong women is donation and in\u00advestment in clean water and sanita\u00adtion facilities to minimize the health hazards.Prioritizing mental health diagnoses in Kashmir can help wom\u00aden cope with the trauma and stress caused by the ongoing conflict.Sup\u00adporting female businesses in Ukraine can help to overcome gender gaps while also providing economic sta\u00adbility during times of war.<\/p>\n
The Writer is Executive Director of Islamabad Think Tank YFK and a freelance contributor. He tweets @zamanbajwaa<\/p>\n
Concluding with a hope of a bright\u00ader future for these women caught in the crossfire from Gaza to Ukraine and in Kashmir, as ensuring wom\u00aden\u2019s protection and rights in con\u00adflict zones is more than just an issue of justice; it is a step towards creat\u00ading a more peaceful and prosperous global community. Research reveals that communities with empowered women are more stable and resil\u00adient. By teaming up and taking de\u00adcisive steps, we can truly represent the essence of International Wom\u00aden\u2019s Day. This is accomplished not just through verbal acknowledg\u00adment, but also by real actions that prepare the way for a future in which every woman, regardless of where they are in the world, can live a life free of fear and violence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Zaman Bajwa On March 8th, we commemo\u00adrate International Women\u2019s Day, a global acknowledg\u00adment of women\u2019s social, economic, cultural, and political achieve\u00adments. However, it is essen\u00adtial to recognize the atroci\u00adties endured by numerous women in conflict zones such as Gaza, Ukraine, Kashmir, and elsewhere on battlefields. These wom\u00aden are not mere spectators; they are mothers, daughters, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13153],"class_list":{"0":"post-392634","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-zaman-bajwa"},"yoast_head":"\n