At our stall at the Women's Voice International Woman's Day festival we collected messages to send to women and girls in Al-Mawasi. This was in response to this message from one of our friends in Al-Mawasi:
"I want to convey the idea that women in Gaza are suffering due to the conditions we have reached. I don't know how to describe the reality of living without a home, under a piece of cloth (a tent) in the streets of Al-Mawasi, where there are no bathrooms except for a corner between the tents, also covered with a piece of fabric known as a shadr. Women also suffer during their menstrual cycle, which requires healthy food, a clean environment, and clean bathrooms. We have endured famine; I personally witnessed it, and my weight dropped to 40 kilograms from 53. During this famine, I was keen on continuing my education in the educational centers.
The occupation has bombed homes belonging to civilians. I know a woman who was injured by shrapnel from a missile and is now paralyzed with seven children. No organization can send her abroad for treatment; she is suffering from a slow death, and there are many such stories. I consider myself lucky that I am still okay at this moment, but many places here in Al-Mawasi have been bombed, even those that the occupation claims are safe areas.
In fact, I practice my profession in Al-Mawasi and have tried to help, even if just a little. This is our homeland, and there is no place for occupation among us. I am a girl from Gaza who graduated just one day before the war on October 6th. I did not stop; I completed an academic year to obtain two degrees in English Literature and English Language Education. I also moved to educational centers to fight against the weapon of ignorance that has spread in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing war. I am still here.
Yes, I have lived in fear because the educational centers were threatened by bombing, but we are the children of this land. If we do not stand with our country at this moment, who will stand with it? We continue to suffer from everything here: rising living costs, environmental pollution, recurring viruses, infectious diseases, and rats."
A selection of our messages:
My heart breaks at the news coming from Gaza and what your courageous people have endured. As a woman, on International Women's Day, I send solidarity, love and hope for an end to the slaughter, and a better future for the women and girls in Gaza. You are not forgotten, you are heard - women worldwide stand with you.
Salam, you are in my mind and prayers everyday. One day, you will be free, you will get true justice. You are the light in a dark world, you show us all how to be the light. Wishing and hoping for your liberation, dignity, and may you live happily in the near future.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I cannot imagine the suffering you all endure on a day to day basis. I just hope and pray that peace prevails in the end. With love, Janet and Angie.
Please now that the women in Hastings are in solidarity with the people of Al Mawasi. We are also powerless to change things, but we will continue to highlight your plight. Stay strong.
I know it may feel like the world has forgotten what is taking place. There are many of us holding you in mind, pushing for change and praying for difference. Sending all our love and fight to the women of Gaza. Sheila
FREE PALESTINE. We stand with you. We hear of your suffering. No human being should ever experience the horrors you are enduring. I am writing in solidarity from across the sea. We are fighting. We are putting pressure on our government and the evil corporations profiting from and complicit in this genocide. With love, hope and solidarity. Your sister, E-J
From one disabled woman in Hastings to all the disabled women in Gaza. Strength in unity. X
I am horrified by what has been happening to you. Please do not despair.
Reading your words really brings home the realities of this awful genocide. I thank you for sharing your message. There are so many of us who wish to support you and the people of Gaza. We will do what we can to help you. Your bravery is astonishing. I sincerely hope these atrocities come to an end soon. With love and hope, from Hastings, England
We are witnessing the horrors, but obviously it's impossible for us to really grasp what it is like for the people of Gaza, especially the women, your message is a powerful way to share your suffering and make it more real to us. We are with you in our hearts, every day. Carole
Dear women and girls of Gaza, Happy international women's day! Women and girls in Hastings are with you! Solidarity, hope and love!
Love you - keep going. T
We see reports of the terrible things that are happening in Gaza. We are horrified and disgusted that these events are happening. We are so angry with our government that they don't do more to bring an end to the war on Gaza and Palestine. We send our love and we hope for peace.
I wanted to write to say that I am witnessing your plight, it affects my soul. You are in my heart. I will not look away and will send my love and strength to you. I pray for peace for you and your land. Julie x
Please remember we stand with you in solidarity here in Hastings. You have not been forgotten and we continue to raise awareness of your suffering.
To my sisters in Al-Mawasi. You are in our hearts and our minds. You are not forgotten. We will stand with you until Palestine is Free. Saoirse Don Phalaistin
Dear women and girls of Al -Mawasi, I am sending my very best wishes to you on this international women's day. We admire your so much and sending lots of love from Jane.
To all women and girls in Al Mawasi and all Palestine. We stand with you all on this International women's day 8/2/26 and on everyday, we try our hardest to build wider understanding to other people and communities to join with us in PSC in fighting for justice, rights to your land and peace for you all in Palestine for always.
Sending you my solidarity and hopes for peace and freedom for Palestine. I salute your amazing resolve to survive and thrive. Keeping alive hope. Xxx Jane Retired teacher from Hastings.
You are not forgotten. We are thinking of you from Hastings sending strength to you. Stay strong. We are behind you! Xxx
I read your message: it's so awful that you are all suffering so much. My heart goes out to you all. The women of Al-Mawasi will have a future because of your bravery. To all the girls whose lives have been so horribly disrupted: have faith; we are all making sure your plight is not forgotten. Best Mairin.
My best wishes and solidarity to our friends in Al-Mawasi, from Carl
To my very dear and beloved Sisters in Al Mawasi, I remember and hold you in my heart every day and especially on this International Women's Day. The horror you are undergoing is unbelievably inhuman and we in Hastings will continue to oppose and publicise it. I am 85 so I send my hugs particularly to the older women in your community. You are not forgotten. Stay strong. May real peace come soon to you and all Palestine!
With love and solidarity, Jennifer xxx
------------------------------------------------
8 March 2026.
More information about Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi.
"I want to convey the idea that women in Gaza are suffering due to the conditions we have reached. I don't know how to describe the reality of living without a home, under a piece of cloth (a tent) in the streets of Al-Mawasi, where there are no bathrooms except for a corner between the tents, also covered with a piece of fabric known as a shadr. Women also suffer during their menstrual cycle, which requires healthy food, a clean environment, and clean bathrooms. We have endured famine; I personally witnessed it, and my weight dropped to 40 kilograms from 53. During this famine, I was keen on continuing my education in the educational centers.
The occupation has bombed homes belonging to civilians. I know a woman who was injured by shrapnel from a missile and is now paralyzed with seven children. No organization can send her abroad for treatment; she is suffering from a slow death, and there are many such stories. I consider myself lucky that I am still okay at this moment, but many places here in Al-Mawasi have been bombed, even those that the occupation claims are safe areas.
In fact, I practice my profession in Al-Mawasi and have tried to help, even if just a little. This is our homeland, and there is no place for occupation among us. I am a girl from Gaza who graduated just one day before the war on October 6th. I did not stop; I completed an academic year to obtain two degrees in English Literature and English Language Education. I also moved to educational centers to fight against the weapon of ignorance that has spread in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing war. I am still here.
Yes, I have lived in fear because the educational centers were threatened by bombing, but we are the children of this land. If we do not stand with our country at this moment, who will stand with it? We continue to suffer from everything here: rising living costs, environmental pollution, recurring viruses, infectious diseases, and rats."
A selection of our messages:
My heart breaks at the news coming from Gaza and what your courageous people have endured. As a woman, on International Women's Day, I send solidarity, love and hope for an end to the slaughter, and a better future for the women and girls in Gaza. You are not forgotten, you are heard - women worldwide stand with you.
Salam, you are in my mind and prayers everyday. One day, you will be free, you will get true justice. You are the light in a dark world, you show us all how to be the light. Wishing and hoping for your liberation, dignity, and may you live happily in the near future.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I cannot imagine the suffering you all endure on a day to day basis. I just hope and pray that peace prevails in the end. With love, Janet and Angie.
Please now that the women in Hastings are in solidarity with the people of Al Mawasi. We are also powerless to change things, but we will continue to highlight your plight. Stay strong.
I know it may feel like the world has forgotten what is taking place. There are many of us holding you in mind, pushing for change and praying for difference. Sending all our love and fight to the women of Gaza. Sheila
FREE PALESTINE. We stand with you. We hear of your suffering. No human being should ever experience the horrors you are enduring. I am writing in solidarity from across the sea. We are fighting. We are putting pressure on our government and the evil corporations profiting from and complicit in this genocide. With love, hope and solidarity. Your sister, E-J
From one disabled woman in Hastings to all the disabled women in Gaza. Strength in unity. X
I am horrified by what has been happening to you. Please do not despair.
Reading your words really brings home the realities of this awful genocide. I thank you for sharing your message. There are so many of us who wish to support you and the people of Gaza. We will do what we can to help you. Your bravery is astonishing. I sincerely hope these atrocities come to an end soon. With love and hope, from Hastings, England
We are witnessing the horrors, but obviously it's impossible for us to really grasp what it is like for the people of Gaza, especially the women, your message is a powerful way to share your suffering and make it more real to us. We are with you in our hearts, every day. Carole
Dear women and girls of Gaza, Happy international women's day! Women and girls in Hastings are with you! Solidarity, hope and love!
Love you - keep going. T
We see reports of the terrible things that are happening in Gaza. We are horrified and disgusted that these events are happening. We are so angry with our government that they don't do more to bring an end to the war on Gaza and Palestine. We send our love and we hope for peace.
I wanted to write to say that I am witnessing your plight, it affects my soul. You are in my heart. I will not look away and will send my love and strength to you. I pray for peace for you and your land. Julie x
Please remember we stand with you in solidarity here in Hastings. You have not been forgotten and we continue to raise awareness of your suffering.
To my sisters in Al-Mawasi. You are in our hearts and our minds. You are not forgotten. We will stand with you until Palestine is Free. Saoirse Don Phalaistin
Dear women and girls of Al -Mawasi, I am sending my very best wishes to you on this international women's day. We admire your so much and sending lots of love from Jane.
To all women and girls in Al Mawasi and all Palestine. We stand with you all on this International women's day 8/2/26 and on everyday, we try our hardest to build wider understanding to other people and communities to join with us in PSC in fighting for justice, rights to your land and peace for you all in Palestine for always.
Sending you my solidarity and hopes for peace and freedom for Palestine. I salute your amazing resolve to survive and thrive. Keeping alive hope. Xxx Jane Retired teacher from Hastings.
You are not forgotten. We are thinking of you from Hastings sending strength to you. Stay strong. We are behind you! Xxx
I read your message: it's so awful that you are all suffering so much. My heart goes out to you all. The women of Al-Mawasi will have a future because of your bravery. To all the girls whose lives have been so horribly disrupted: have faith; we are all making sure your plight is not forgotten. Best Mairin.
My best wishes and solidarity to our friends in Al-Mawasi, from Carl
To my very dear and beloved Sisters in Al Mawasi, I remember and hold you in my heart every day and especially on this International Women's Day. The horror you are undergoing is unbelievably inhuman and we in Hastings will continue to oppose and publicise it. I am 85 so I send my hugs particularly to the older women in your community. You are not forgotten. Stay strong. May real peace come soon to you and all Palestine!
With love and solidarity, Jennifer xxx
More information about Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi.
