“No Moign, everything we are going to do today will be done by me,” Menna insisted in a loud but polite tone. “You have to understand that it’s International Women’s Day so I will do everything myself today and you’ll only be a silent observer. It’s my turn to tell the story and you’ll patiently be my audience. You see any problem with it?”
The Gazan school teacher is brimming with confidence today. Someone who is usually very kind and accommodating with me is in a mood to prove a point. “Having a day reserved for women does not mean that we do something special on this day and it’s highlighted. For me it’s a day to remind everyone all over the world that women work 365 days a year and do as much important work as men,” she said in an assertive tone. And she was proving a valid point. The fair sex works hard day and night but gets recognition only one day a year!
UNRWA SCHOOL – GAZA – 0900 local time
This is the place where I come every day to work. This is the place that is most important to me after my home. It has always been my dream to be a decent human being, and a responsible woman who is useful to her family and the society. When I completed my formal education, I looked around to see how my ambitions can be fulfilled and my aspirations of being a useful member of the society be realized.
Once I was out on the street early in the morning to buy breakfast for my family. There I saw kids as young as three year old walking to the school with a dazzling smile on their face and their uniforms shining brightly in the morning sun. It took me no time to recognize that I belong to a place where kids are given the most precious gift in their life – education. It is such a present that can change their life forever. I decided to train as a teacher and become the guardian of our children’s future.
Last year I joined a school and my dream of becoming a teacher finally came true. I was really over the moon to be among kids and teach them the very basics of language, daily life, etiquette and manners and engage with them in activities that made them feel very happy. It is a very hard job for the teachers to help their students forget the pains and sorrows of daily life but we do our best. We make them feel as if they’re entering a different world. A world where imagination is more powerful than perception and reality!
One thing that annoys us women in Gaza and badly affects our lives is the constant interference of politics. It is often men that create political problems, often rising when their egos clash, but we, women, have to bear the brunt of it. Teachers make sure that school is a place free of politics and all the evils attached to it. For us, every kid is valuable and stands same before us.
GAZA MARKET – GROCERY SHOPPING – 1200
After the school I head to the market from where I buy groceries. It is completely packed at midday and people from all over the Gaza Strip come here to sell their stuff. Buyers and sellers of all ages can be seen busy haggling and making deals. One thing that you’ll also see here is the heavy presence of women not only as buyers but also as sellers of goods. They all work really hard and are proud of what they can do to help their family.
“We are suffering very badly from the siege there is no doubt about it. But our spirits are not dampened. We share our responsibilities in the household. Our men have lost their jobs due to siege so we try to help them as much as we can. And it goes well appreciated,” said a woman in her thirties selling home made cakes. She has got a bachelors degree but jobs are scarce in Gaza due to occupation. While speaking to her I felt really lucky to have a job as a teacher and do what I was trained to do. I really hope things change for her too…
NORTHERN GAZA – FRIEND’S HOUSE – 1300
Now I’m heading to my friend’s house in northern Gaza. I’m going to make a strawberry cake and for that I need to get the best strawberries in Gaza and her farm produces the best ones. Like many other women in Gaza, she also studies and helps her mom pick and pack the strawberries. She also transports them to the market at any given time of the day.
Despite all the hardships, Gaza is a secure place for women to live. We do face external threats like an Israeli air attack can be expected any time but on the streets women are safe. Unlike other places in the Middle East, we can drive a car, go out with our friends for shopping etc. No need to have the baggage with us… by which I mean there is no need to have a male relative alongside.
After having a cup of tea with my friend and her mother, she offers me a lift back to town in her van which I accept gladly. I help her load the produce and then we head to the city center. “We spend almost US$500 a year to irrigate this stretch of land. We buy seeds, fertilizer, and buy fuel for the van. Also, we sometimes have to hire a tractor as well. So this red ripe strawberry that you’re munching gets all the taste from our hard work,” my friend says with a big grin on her face. Hard work has made her more humble and this strawberry taste good. Bless you both!
GAZA CITY – HOME – 1400
Soon we’re in the town center. I say goodbye to her and head to my home. As expected, my family is waiting for me to have lunch together. “Your favorite beefsteak with roast potatoes is ready my heartbeat of Gaza,” yells my mom with a big grin. Blushing, I quickly wash my hands and grab a plate. While having my lunch, I tell them about what I’ve done so far and what I’ll be doing later on. “Don’t forget to take the cake for your friend. Her craving is getting out of control. She will kick you out from her office if you turn up empty handed,” my mom joked while I laughed loudly. “I’ve got the best strawberries in whole Gaza for her,” I exclaimed while raising my eyebrows sarcastically.
GAZA CITY – HOSPITAL – 1600
On the way to my friend’s workplace, I see the streets bustling with activity. It seems all Gazan women are out on the streets and having a good time. Some are shopping while others are just having a stroll. Some are heading down to the beach while others seem lazing in the sunshine. Everyone, it seems is making sure they celebrate the day in their own way…
Luckily, my friend is on duty and is about to finish her hourly round. Finally she arrives with a big smile on her face after a few minutes of waiting. “The whole hospital smells of the gift you’ve got for me,” she shouted while squeezing me in her arms. I failed to hide the smell of the delicious big cake from her. There was no way I could hide my excitement as I was meeting her after a long time.
“Well, I’m here to see my compatriot women serving the society in particular and humanity in general. And this is all part of the International Women’s Day that I’m celebrating,” I said to which she replied with a giggle: “You brought this cake so now I’m making you in charge of this place.” All the women in the room were grinning.
“Whom would you like to see? We’ve got female doctors, surgeons, dentists, psychiatrists, nurses, cleaners and physiotherapists as well. You can’t believe the revolution going on here!” my friend exclaimed with a big smile on her face. “This place can make you sad but will also make you proud of us women.”
I spoke to a few doctors and nurses and asked them what is the toughest part of their job. “Seeing a woman’s husband or children die in front of their eyes is the most unbearable that can happen. We feel like we’re torn apart. It is impossible to imagine how we’ll feel if (God forbid) we’ll lose our children,” said a young graduate who is training to become a lady doctor. Seniors around her nodded in affirmation. I spent more than an hour with my friend and her staff and thanked them for their time and cooperation. I felt very proud of every individual present there.
Finally, on my way home, I met a girl from my neighborhood who was carrying a bright pink basket in her hand. When she came closer to me, I found out that the basket is full of gift items. Noting my curiosity she said: “I’m just coming back from Rafah where an international delegation of 60 people arrived yesterday via Egypt border to show their solidarity with the women in Gaza,” she said in one breath. “It’s an amazing atmosphere there. The women are very lovely and humble. I can’t believe people from so many countries have come all the way to Gaza to express their solidarity with the women of Gaza,” my friend said before showing me the photographs of the event.
“Can you believe that Rachel Corrie’s parents have also come to Gaza with the delegation?” I uttered a big NO out of surprise and disbelief. For those of you who don’t know who Rachel Corrie is, let me give you her brief profile:
Born on 10 April, 1979 in a middle class family. Joined the International Solidarity Movement in March 2003 and came to Gaza Strip to record protest against the illegal invasion of Iraq by US and British forces. On 16 March, she was run over by an Israeli army bulldozer while trying to stop it from bulldozing a Palestinian civilians house. She died instantly on the spot. Rachel truly loved her country and wished to see a Palestinian state in her life time. Palestinians consider her as a brave daughter of the soil and martyr.
GAZA BEACH – SUNSET – 1830
While I was having a chat with my neighbor about the activities of the Code Pink Women and the significance of the International Women’s Day in Gaza, I received a phone call from my mother and sister who wanted me to come to the beach for a stroll. “We’ve got some refreshments for you if you fancy coming here,” they offered knowing I can never decline as I always liked having snacks on the seafront.
After playing around with kids and buying them some sweets, my mother sat next to me and my sisters looking at the horizon. Then she turned towards us and said: “I know it is hard to be a woman in any part of the world but without us there will be no society. We are the greatest part of it.”
“Pain is no stranger to us women,” she continued philosophically. “It only makes us strong. It makes us victors. It makes us do the things we do in best possible way. We take pain in our roles as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives and give it back with love, affection, respect and comfort.” The stars in the sky started to glitter and I could see a reflection of us in them.
Very unique article. It makes me wonder to expect this article about problems facing by women written by a guy. Nice work done.
wow !!! there is a special thing in your articles …….. exelent work ….. my congratulation …… i wish u good luck and ALLAH yahfedek ….. GOD bless u ….. take care bye
Today, i feel too proud of being woman althought the problems. I think that all has a price in the life and maybe being woman is a gift that costs…..
thanks for this beatiful articles and the pics!!!
Wonderful post!
All I can say is this: The world was, is and always will be in need of brave and strong women. Without them, this planet would be different… would be worse, I’m sure. So many countries would be in a bad state without women such as Menna who are strong and determined and able to bring about a change for the better.
When I think of my home country Germany, for example – it was the women, the so-called “Trümmerfrauen”, who cleared away debris and built up the towns and cities after World War I, and again after World War II. It was them who made a new start possible, and this way lead the way towards a better future, towards safety and prosperity. It was a time of hardship, suffering and deprivation, hopelessness and pain – but they made it. Fortunately they made it. And there are many more comparable examples all over the world, in the past as well as in the present.
My greatest respect goes to people, men and women, who care about the weakest, the poorest, the ones that wouldn’t really have a fair chance, and give them hope and help. Hence I really admire Menna and her friends for what they do and achieve every day. I know what it means to be a teacher. It’s one of the hardest and most challenging jobs you can imagine. But it’s also most rewarding and satisfying – for everything you give to children you get so much more from them in return. I’m so happy to see a brave and confident young woman like Menna giving these children what they deserve, “the most precious gift of their lives”, as you say – “education”, especially in a place like Gaza, so beautiful but at the same time facing so many troubles.
Thanks to the two of you, Moign and Menna, for sharing all this with us! I hope this post will serve as a positive example and role model for people all over the world.
All the words and sentences in this article were meditative and impressive. We all living in a world where there are many women and men live. There is war in some countries and people especially women and children should live in the bad conditions of war. Women should be appreciated that live in these conditions.
Thanks Moign about your nice article and thanks dear Menna a kind teacher who has a nice looking to her life and I praise the women who have live in these condition and especially the women of Gaza.
Thanx Mo for such a great post!!!! I really enjoyed it!!! It is very nice to know that women in Gaza can live normal life though lasting Israeli and Egyptian siege. I do believe in that one day each girl educated by intelligent and open-heart teacher Meena will become a famous doctor, journalist, architect who will build new houses instead of those destroyed by Israel.
a powerful reminder that in spite of the harsh realities which exist for Gaza here is a spirit of gentleness and joy, of confidence and creativity, of hope in spite of hardship.
Very nice and kind story. I enjoyed reading. Felt very proud for the women living in such terrible conditions and not losing their tenderness and their hope. Thanks for the story, Moign!
Great article as usual, yr friend Menna is great woman i am proud of her and this what she do for her country, being teacher is really hard job to do and she also works is special enviroment but definitely she is doing great job. Only women can change the situation and i believe that Gaza one day will be as free as other places in the world.
Once again Moign u hit the jackpot!! I really enjoy it. U just have this amazing capability of making the reader go from one state to another in just a glimpse..from joy to sadness to pride and power and so on.. as if going on a long journey full of adventures..Thank you so much..And sorry for my late comment..My bad!!
And haven’t I told you before that we’re good at everything ;)
Proud and always will be proud of my Palestinian Roots..
May Allah bless All Muslims around the world and Bless the Decent, Hardworking, Honourable and Proud Women of Palestine.. They really set not a good but THE BEST EXAMPLE of True Women all over the world..♥
Now, I think of women who did everything possible so that we can live a better life…
We’ve everything to take the world in our stride :D
* i’m the last… but i’m not the least interested in this beautiful post (A). So… congratulations Moign, i liked it!
Moign, thanks for such an intresting article. variety of feelings. it is a succesful attempt to show woman´s soul in a very tender way.
Great article , thanks Moign
Most religions (or their man-made, altered forms) do have a tendency to be sexist and xenophobic. Sad but true.
Im speechless. Its great story about Freedom, Strength and Faith….a lot of sides that open different aspects of women. Im proud of you.
Moign, what a great vignette and reminder of the strength of “ordinary” women all over the world! I love the idea of turning pain into love for others. Beautiful.
As a palestinian girl from gaza i can say well done Mogin , u have successfully represented a real palestinian woman with all her thoughts and the difficulties that she face
may allah bless u