Asian Geographic 3 - 2016 SG

Women

of Gaza

A LIFE CHOKED WITH ADVERSITY

ALONG THE GAZA STRIP

Text Nigel O’Connor

Palestinian mothers often lose a son or a father,

and sometimes the whole family. This gives

women the motivation to be strong

As with all Palestinians in what is

often described as the world’s largest

open-air prison, life for the women of

the Gaza Strip is choked with adversity.

Fenced by land and bound by

sea, the enclave grates under the

humanitarian impact of military

conflict, embargo and political

isolation. Neighbouring Israel and

Egypt have maintained a land and

sea blockade – limiting movement

of goods and people since 2006.

Although targeting Hamas, the

militant Islamist movement governing

Gaza, the policies are described by

the United Nations as amounting to

collective punishment.

Not all misery and destruction

For journalist and photographer Lara

Abu Ramadan, this life of adversity

is mostly met with a high spirit and

dignity. Using social media platforms,

PHOTO © NATASA KLEANTHOUS

on assiGnment