International community must address suffering of Palestinian women - WAO
WAO called for actively supporting the end to the occupation of the Palestinian state, addressing the fundamental causes of their suffering.
KUALA LUMPUR - The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) has urged the international community to prioritise the needs and rights of Palestinian women and girls, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
In a statement today, the Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) said the resolution demanded, among others, an immediate ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid.
Additionally, WAO called for actively supporting the end to the occupation of the Palestinian state, addressing the fundamental causes of their suffering.
"We must ensure that the voices of Palestinian women are heard, their rights upheld, and their suffering addressed," it said.
WAO noted that the fundamental human rights for all persons, including women and children refugees and displaced persons, must be protected and upheld.
According to international media reports, Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct 7 have killed at least 36,242 Palestinians and wounded 81,777.
WAO said, with nowhere to escape the relentless bombing and violence, more than 10,000 women have been killed, including 6,000 mothers, leaving 19,000 children orphaned.
As of March 5, it said UN Women's data showed that more than half of the women surveyed (51 per cent) have medical conditions requiring urgent attention, but 62 per cent were unable to afford necessary care.
Meanwhile, over 60 per cent of pregnant women in Gaza have reported complications, with 95 per cent of them having urinary tract infections, anemia (80 per cent), pre-term labour (30 per cent) and hypertensive disorders (50 per cent).
"Nursing mothers face significant challenges in breastfeeding and meeting their babies’ nutritional needs," it said. - BERNAMA
