Women 4 Women

When women support each other, incredible things happen.

“When women support each other, incredible things happen.” Isabel Allende, Chilean-American writer

Women 4 Women is about solidarity — women in the UK standing with women in Gaza who are facing impossible barriers to healthcare, especially breast cancer screening and treatment.

It’s simple: gather with friends, family or your community to do something you love — a coffee morning, a dinner party, a walk, a book club, a gin and nibbles evening — and raise awareness and funds for the breast cancer screening programme at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.

Top: Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City before the 2023 war — a place of peace
Bottom: A woman at Al Ahli is screened for signs of breast cancer

Why breast cancer in Gaza?

Breast cancer kills more women than any other form of cancer in Gaza. Five-year survival rates are just 30-40%, compared to 87% in the UK.

The reasons are devastating. Due to the blockade and ongoing conflict, women in Gaza face:

• Lack of education and awareness
  Fear, social stigma and limited information mean 60% of cases are detected in stage three, when treatment is far less effective.
• Restricted access to treatment
  Chemotherapy drugs are limited to four-week supplies due to Israeli restrictions, interrupting or ending treatment completely.
• No radiotherapy in Gaza
  Radioisotopes needed for radiotherapy are forbidden entry by Israeli authorities, forcing women to apply for permits to travel to East Jerusalem for treatment.
• Permit denials
  Over 28% of women applying to travel for treatment are denied permits or receive no response from Israeli authorities.

“Screening is so simple and so effective. If we can work with women so that they can identify breast cancer early, we can treat it.” Suhaila Tarazi, former Director of Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza City

The consequences are devastating. Women are dying when their deaths are completely preventable, or living with the scars and impact of medical techniques no longer practiced in the UK.

There is no excuse for making women in Gaza suffer in this way.

What Al Ahli Hospital does

Al Ahli Arab Hospital runs a community-based breast cancer awareness and screening programme. They work with 35 local community groups throughout Gaza, educating 5,000 women yearly about breast cancer and providing annual screening to 3,000 women over forty.

The programme breaks taboos around breast cancer for both women and men, raises awareness about early detection and gives women the best opportunity for treatment to be successful.

“I was so scared about going for a test when I found a lump that I did not tell anyone. When I found that I was OK, I decided to tell my family and now I help others by telling them of my experiences and encouraging them to get tested.” Aisha, community educator, Al Ahli Arab Hospital

Just £60 provides breast cancer screening and support for one woman in Gaza.

How Women 4 Women works

Host an event doing something you enjoy. It could be a:

• coffee morning or afternoon tea
• walk, run or sporting event
• wine and cheese evening or dinner party
• clothes swap
• craft evening
• Palestinian-themed dinner or film night
• book club meeting
• gin and nibbles evening.

“We decided to organise a regular gin and nibbles evening for Amos' work in Gaza. We alternate between our two homes and ask for a donation towards the refreshments, with profits going to Amos Trust.” Caroline Bone and Sarah Rose — Cambridge

“I prepared a Palestinian meal and invited a mix of friends, some of whom hadn't heard me speak of Palestine before. They loved the Palestinian food and focus — it gave purpose to a very enjoyable evening and raised over £200!” Margaret Filer — Sheffield

Download our free pack for fundraising ideas, a new prayer, films, images and background information. Thank you for supporting Women 4 Women. Use the event to share information about breast cancer in Gaza and Al Ahli Hospital's work. Ask guests to donate what they'd spend on a similar event or night out.

Watch our short film about Al Ahli Arab Hospital →

The current situation

Al Ahli Hospital was severely damaged during the bombardment of Gaza. The breast cancer screening programme is currently on hold, but we hope it will resume soon as the hospital rebuilds. In the meantime, funds raised through Women 4 Women will support Al Ahli Hospital’s recovery and ensure the screening programme can restart as quickly as possible, saving lives as soon as conditions allow.

“My message to you is that the Women 4 Women campaign is very important and it is not helping women only, it saves the whole family. We really appreciate what you are doing for us.” Samira, management team member, Al Ahli Arab Hospital

Get involved

Women 4 Women events happen throughout the year, especially during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or ‘Rosy October’ as it’s known in Gaza). Interested in hosting an event? Get in touch and we'll support you with resources, information and ideas.

Contact us at [email protected]
Donate to support Al Ahli Hospital →
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