Fatima Tanbura, a woman from Gaza, shares her harrowing experience of being arrested after she and her family were forcibly displaced to a school sheltering the displaced in northern Gaza. Upon her arrest, she was subjected to severe mistreatment, including physical abuse, verbal insults, strip searches, and deprivation of her basic rights. Her story sheds light on the harsh conditions and abuses faced by female prisoners in detention, highlighting the broader issues of mistreatment and human rights violations in the prisons.
Maha Al-Sarsak, a young girl of 15 from Shujaiya in Gaza, is driven by a strong desire to confront challenges and achieve her dreams despite the harsh circumstances she faces. Growing up in a humble family, she now lives amidst war, residing in a tent due to the harsh conditions of displacement. Maha shoulders significant responsibility towards her family, starting her day early by collecting water and washing dirty clothes for displaced individuals to earn some income and provide for her family’s needs. Despite bearing these burdens, she remains perseverant and determined to continue her education and fulfill her aspirations.
Fida Abu Samhan, a 39-year-old narrates her journey from aspiring to be a doctor since childhood to overcoming challenges to achieve her dreams. Despite facing obstacles such as not having completed her education before marriage, she persevered and excelled in her studies, eventually obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Master’s degree, and a PhD in epidemiology. She worked in various capacities, including at hospitals, military medical services, and universities as a lecturer. However, her life took a drastic turn during the 2014 war when she lost her home. Despite this setback, she rebuilt her life, bought furniture, and built houses for her children. Unfortunately, her stability was short-lived as ongoing war on Gaza forced her to flee multiple times, eventually leading her to live in a plastic tent in Rafah, where she volunteers to provide medical assistance to refugees. Despite the challenges of living in overcrowded conditions without proper amenities, she continues to serve her community, treating patients with limited resources.
The post highlights the challenges faced by the medical system in Gaza through the story of Dr. Fida Abu Samahan, who uses her tent as a mobile clinic to treat displaced people.
Haneen Hamdouna, a seasoned journalist with a strong personality, recounts her journey from childhood fascination with journalism to becoming a voice for her community amidst adversity. Despite challenges such as the targeting of journalists by the IOF, personal struggles, and displacement, Haneen remains steadfast in her commitment to her profession and her people. As a mother and a cancer survivor, she confronts fear with courage, relying on her faith and determination to overcome obstacles. Forced to evacuate her home, Haneen witnesses the devastation of war but finds solace in her work as a journalist, even amidst danger.
The post highlights the challenges faced by female journalists in Gaza on World Press Freedom Day, as exemplified by the experiences of Haneen Hamadouna, who states, “I’m afraid to wear this shield because it’s a means of discrimination to target us.”
