The “Girls’ Tent”: a youth-led initiative in Northern Gaza

Despite the ongoing war and critical challenges of displacement and siege, SDF’s Youth Network (SYN) is determined to lead impactful actions that foster youth engagement and resilience. Recently, SYN launched the “Girls’ Tent” initiative, targeting displaced girls and women in northern Gaza. This initiative is one of the thematic interventions under SDF’s national relief response program “Together For Palestine (T4P)“.

The ”Girls’ Tent” was implemented in collaboration with the Save Youth Future Society (SYFS) and the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Education Above All (EAA).

300 girls and women received personal hygiene kits and participated in awareness sessions and panels about personal hygiene practices amidst the scarcity of personal care resources. The GT’s activities were conducted in several locations across Gaza City and the north; including the SDF’s headquarters in Gaza City, Palestine School, and Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali School, where thousands of displaced people take shelter.

The “Girls’ Tent” is a timely intervention, not only because it targets girls and women but also because it addresses the importance of health care in such a critical situation.”

Yasmin Mohanna, field coordinator- SDF

Mohanna added, “We distributed hygiene kits and personal care items to girls and women after an awareness session about the best practices to maintain self-care and physical health. All sessions were well-attended, and participants were actively engaged in insightful discussions.”

Haya Darwish, a young participant, shared her experience saying: “What makes GT stand out is that it targets women and girls during the war. We have been struggling to access hygiene and personal care items.”

SDF’s youth network Noha Hamada volunteered to facilitate sessions and distribution. She commented: “The initiative’s focus on health and personal hygiene awareness is remarkable. I am hopeful that we can expand our sessions to other areas.”

“This initiative is much needed; it helps girls maintain their mental and physical health amid the harsh challenges and ongoing displacement.”

Areej Al-Barasai- participant

This initiative is significantly important because of the critical need for girls’ and women’s hygiene supplies, most of whom are displaced and have lost their belongings, and they have challenging access to personal care items due to scarcity of resources and skyrocketing prices.

Gaza has been experiencing a severe shortage of cleaning supplies, including personal hygiene items like shampoo, soap, cleaning products; laundry detergent. This shortage increases the risk of disease outbreaks and expands health crisis in Gaza.