Northern Ireland

Oisín McConville launches Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal in support of women and girls in Gaza

Two years after travelling to Gaza with Trócaire to see the plight of Palestinians at first hand, Armagh's All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville launches the charity's Christmas Appeal for 2021 in support of women and girls in the war-torn region. He is pictured with Hala Sanak who plays for Gaza’s first-ever schoolgirls' soccer club. The 14-year-old's team received a Gaelic football skills session on Gaza beach during his trip. Picture by Garry Walsh, Trócaire
Two years after travelling to Gaza with Trócaire to see the plight of Palestinians at first hand, Armagh's All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville launches the charity's Christmas Appeal for 2021 in support of women and girls in the war- Two years after travelling to Gaza with Trócaire to see the plight of Palestinians at first hand, Armagh's All-Ireland winner Oisín McConville launches the charity's Christmas Appeal for 2021 in support of women and girls in the war-torn region. He is pictured with Hala Sanak who plays for Gaza’s first-ever schoolgirls' soccer club. The 14-year-old's team received a Gaelic football skills session on Gaza beach during his trip. Picture by Garry Walsh, Trócaire

FORMER Armagh football star Oisín McConville yesterday launched Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal in support of women and girls in war-torn Gaza.

Thousands of women in Gaza, a densely-populated Palestinian enclave, have been severely traumatised by the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Covid pandemic has also had a dire impact on women facing domestic violence, poverty and mental health issues.

Mr McConville yesterday unveiled a banner at St Mary’s Church in Belfast city centre which contrasts Christmas in Ireland with the reality in Gaza.

The All-Ireland winner, who is a trained counsellor, said his memories of a visit with Tr?caire to Gaza two years ago are still fresh in his mind.

"When I visited Gaza I met women and girls who have been traumatised by the conflict," he said.

"More than a third of women living in Gaza suffer violence at the hands of their husbands.

"Women in Gaza have been disempowered, and they need our support to help get their lives back on track."

Mr McConville said his arrival in Gaza felt like "entering a prison with high walls, barbed wire and cameras".

"Once I passed through border controls, Gaza was an assault on the senses," he said.

"The heat, the smells, the overwhelming poverty and the obvious scars of war and oppression."

Siobhan Hanley, from Trócaire in Northern Ireland, said women in Gaza faced widespread discrimination.

"Women and girls are at increased risk of gender-based violence as a result of the conflict and Covid-19," she said.

"They have limited involvement and control in household decision-making, few social safety nets and little access to information and services.

"Covid-19 has worsened the poor humanitarian situation for women as the health system is already overwhelmed by many years of blockade and is significantly overstretched."

The Israeli bombardment in May killed 253 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women – four of whom were pregnant.

A total of 1,948 people were left injured, including 610 children.

Around 87,000 pregnant women are in Gaza and vulnerable areas of the West Bank - most of whom lack access to quality healthcare.

Ms Hanley said support for Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal will provide a lifeline to the women of Gaza this Christmas.

To donate to Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal, visit trocaire.org or call 0800 912 1200 (1850 408 408 in the Republic).