Thousands of adolescent girls in Gaza are experiencing puberty amid Israeli attacks and displacement, with reduced access to menstrual health care, essential supplies, education and psychological support. Since October 2023, many families have been forced from their homes into schools, tents and temporary shelters, sharply limiting girls’ privacy and access to health services.

Twelve-year-old Sara began menstruating while displaced in a Gaza City school classroom shared by more than 40 people. Lacking sanitary materials, she became distressed and stopped eating to avoid using unclean toilets. Thirteen-year-old Safiyah also became frightened when her first period began in a crowded room among relatives; her mother cut clean cloth for temporary use.

Many sexual and reproductive health programmes in Gaza stopped after the war began because of security concerns, creating gaps in puberty education and mental-health support. Female family members are washing and reusing old cloth, sharing painkillers and trying to create limited privacy in tents. Aid workers say such mutual support cannot be a long-term solution and urge provision of menstrual health services, education and infrastructure.