Research paper
This paper aimed to examine the psychological ramifications of the October 2023 war on displaced women residing in displacement camps and shelters and to identify the barriers they encounter in accessing psychosocial support services. A descriptive-analytical approach was employed, utilizing various data collection tools, including the administration of (278) questionnaires to displaced women in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, as well as carrying out (2) focus group discussions (FGDs) involving (21) displaced women. Also, (10) in-depth interviews with displaced women and survivors of violence and (12) semi-structured interviews with service providers working directly with displaced women were conducted. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive review of previous relevant literature.
The paper concluded several key findings, the most significant of which are: Nearly half of the respondents, 47.1%, were displaced from the Middle Governorate, Dier Al-Balah, while 43.9% were displaced from Khan Younis Governorate. The vast majority, 90.6%, reported that their homes had been either partially or completely destroyed during the ongoing war. Approximately half of the participants, around 46.8%, experienced the loss of a family member, while over three-quarters, about 79.4%, confirmed being subjected to various forms of violence, be it physical, psychological, economic, social, or sexual violence.