A safe space for Gaza women: A sanctuary to speak, heal and share amid war

Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip – Every day at around 9am, after providing for her five children’s needs, Ola Saleh steps out of the tent sheltering her family in al-Amal camp.Some five minutes later, the 39-year-old arrives at another tent in the camp and, for a few hours, she steps away from the demands of motherhood, displacement and grief.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli air strike on a vehicle in Gaza kills two Hamas security officialslist 2 of 3Israel carries out double tap strike in central Gazalist 3 of 3Netanyahu vows to go to New York City despite ICC arrest warrant, Mamdaniend of listThis is a women-only safe space where daily sessions are held as part of a wider programme run by Collective Development Projects, an organisation offering psychological support, group discussions and practical guidance for coping with the pressures of war.Here, Saleh has the chance to speak with others who understand her feelings without needing to explain them. Surrounded by psychologists and women carrying losses of their own, she finds something she has struggled to feel since Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza took so much from her.“He was killed instantl...