A Lifeline for Women and Children in the Heart of War

Tahani Qasim is one of Gaza’s silent defenders – fighting not with weapons but with compassion and steadfastness. For 17 years, she has dedicated her life to protecting women and children amid the horrors of war. Now, in the fifteenth month of a devastating assault on Gazans, she continues her work at the Haya Protection and Empowerment Centre in Rafah, offering refuge to those who need it most.

Tahani, a 42-year-old mother, was born and raised in Gaza City. Her journey into humanitarian work began during her university years at the Islamic University, where she studied media. But the suffering she witnessed around her pulled her toward the world of social justice. She started working with the Women’s Affairs Center before joining the Haya Protection Centre, which became her passion as she focused on helping women and children during times of crisis.

The war has hit Gaza with unimaginable brutality, and Tahani and her team at the Haya Centre found themselves becoming both responders and victims. Their own center was bombed, forcing them to relocate multiple times, each move feeling like starting over from scratch. But through it all, their mission remained the same: to offer safety, legal assistance, and mental health support to women in need.

After their center in Nasser was bombed, Tahani’s team quickly set up an emergency shelter in Khan Younis. It became a lifeline for women at risk of exploitation, sexual violence, and domestic abuse. But the emotional toll was heavy. “We were their last hope,” she says, knowing that many women had nowhere else to turn.

Throughout the war, Tahani’s team faced unimaginable hardships: homes destroyed, constant airstrikes, and a shortage of supplies. “Basic health supplies became nearly impossible to find, and prices soared,” she adds. Despite this, they pressed on, delivering psychological support, distributing emergency supplies, and coordinating with hospitals and international organizations to ensure that women receive healthcare.

To date, the Haya Protection Centre has helped over 1,000 women find healing amid the chaos, and their work has sparked a broader movement to prioritize women’s needs in conflict zones. Still, Tahani emphasizes that the workers need support too.

As a ceasefire takes effect and displaced families begin returning to northern Gaza, Tahani is preparing to rebuild. Her home was destroyed early in the war, and many of her loved ones remain missing. “I haven’t even had the chance to grieve, but I will start again,” she says with quiet determination.

Tahani’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. Despite the personal toll, her commitment to protecting the women and children of Gaza has made her a symbol of hope.