Send Menstrual Products to Gaza

As students of the University of Oregon, we find ourselves utterly shocked and appalled by what is happening in Gaza right now and want to find a way in which to help the victims of these inhuman atrocities. No matter your background, it is easy to see what is going on is a flagrant violation of both human rights and international law. Although calling your representatives and pushing for a cease fire is incredibly important, we need to also focus on what is happening to the non-combatants. Because of a blockade of supplies going into Gaza, tens of thousands of people are being left without the most basic of necessities that are needed to simply survive, this includes menstrual products (CNN). The American Medical Association states, “Without access to menstrual hygiene products, women may use makeshift sanitation products. That practice can lead to dangerous physical health impacts such as vaginal and urinary tract infections, severe reproductive health conditions and toxic shock syndrome.” (AMA). A lack of sanitary menstrual products in Gaza is forcing menstruating people to take medications which will postpone their periods; “While sanitary napkins are in demand and hard to find, period-delaying tablets are generally more available in some pharmacies as they are not commonly used.” (Al Jazeera). Although this is an option, there are many health risks associated with this practice, “The pills may have side effects such as…irregular vaginal bleeding, nausea, changes to the menstrual cycle, dizziness and mood swings, according to medical professionals…” (Al Jazeera). This is an unnecessary risk that people are being forced to take due to being cut off from the rest of the world, and we must do everything we can to provide them with safe and effective options.

100% of the money raised will be going to buy sanitary products that will be sent to Gaza. We are working together with our local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and will be reaching out to organizations that will be able to get supplies across the border in the most timely manner possible.

Please consider donating: if you are unable to donate please share this link to those who may be able to. Everyone deserves access to clean menstrual products.

Although mentioned, these opinions are our own and have no association with the University of Oregon.

You can find the sources used linked below:

CNN

AMA

Al Jazeera