Navigating reproductive health under military occupation: structural violence and resilience in palestinian women’s healthcare access
- 1Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Ibn Sina College for Health Professions, Nablus University for Vocational and Technical Education, Nablus, Palestine
Abstract
Background: Palestinian women in the West Bank face unique challenges accessing reproductive and maternal healthcare under Israeli military occupation. Checkpoint delays, movement restrictions imposed by the occupying power, and fragmented healthcare systems create compounded barriers that disproportionately affect women's reproductive health outcomes. Despite these challenges, limited qualitative, woman-centered research has explored women's lived experiences navigating these barriers from their own perspectives.
Objective: To explore how political conflict, military occupation, and mobility restrictions imposed by Israel influence Palestinian women's access to reproductive and maternal health services in the West Bank, examining their lived experiences and coping strategies.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study, grounded in reproductive justice theory, intersectionality, and feminist standpoint theories, recruited 18 Palestinian women aged 18–45 years from different areas of the West Bank, including Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in Arabic between March and June 2025. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's method was employed to identify patterns and themes in women's experiences.
Results: Four major themes emerged: structural barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare, including checkpoint delays, Israeli-imposed permit requirements, and fragmented services; impact on maternal and reproductive health outcomes, encompassing delayed care, emergency complications, and preventive care gaps; intersection of cultural norms and structural barriers affecting women's healthcare decisions; and adaptive coping strategies and resilience, including family support networks, community resources, and healthcare navigation techniques. Women described feeling vulnerable and frustrated by systemic barriers yet demonstrated remarkable resilience through creative problem-solving and community solidarity. Resilience was specifically demonstrated through community networks that shared critical healthcare information, digital advocacy documenting checkpoint violations, and collective transportation arrangements that circumvented access barriers.
Conclusion: Palestinian women in the West Bank face significant structural barriers to reproductive healthcare access due to Israeli military occupation yet demonstrate remarkable adaptability and resilience. Their experiences highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive healthcare policies, improved access mechanisms, and recognition of reproductive rights as fundamental human rights in conflict-affected areas. The systematic nature of these barriers constitutes violations of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention's provisions for unimpeded medical access. These findings inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and international organizations about the complex realities faced by Palestinian women.
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BibTeX
@article{aqtam2026navigating,
title = {{Navigating reproductive health under military occupation: structural violence and resilience in palestinian women’s healthcare access}},
author = {Ibrahim Aqtam and Hana Abu Lail and Nahed Asmar and Ulfat Afaneh},
journal = {Reproductive Health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12978-026-02414-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-026-02414-w},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Navigating reproductive health under military occupation: structural violence and resilience in palestinian women’s healthcare access
AU - Ibrahim Aqtam
AU - Hana Abu Lail
AU - Nahed Asmar
AU - Ulfat Afaneh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/30
JO - Reproductive Health
DO - 10.1186/s12978-026-02414-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-026-02414-w
AB - Background: Palestinian women in the West Bank face unique challenges accessing reproductive and maternal healthcare under Israeli military occupation. Checkpoint delays, movement restrictions imposed by the occupying power, and fragmented healthcare systems create compounded barriers that disproportionately affect women's reproductive health outcomes. Despite these challenges, limited qualitative, woman-centered research has explored women's lived experiences navigating these barriers from their own perspectives. Objective: To explore how political conflict, military occupation, and mobility restrictions imposed by Israel influence Palestinian women's access to reproductive and maternal health services in the West Bank, examining their lived experiences and coping strategies. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study, grounded in reproductive justice theory, intersectionality, and feminist standpoint theories, recruited 18 Palestinian women aged 18–45 years from different areas of the West Bank, including Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in Arabic between March and June 2025. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's method was employed to identify patterns and themes in women's experiences. Results: Four major themes emerged: structural barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare, including checkpoint delays, Israeli-imposed permit requirements, and fragmented services; impact on maternal and reproductive health outcomes, encompassing delayed care, emergency complications, and preventive care gaps; intersection of cultural norms and structural barriers affecting women's healthcare decisions; and adaptive coping strategies and resilience, including family support networks, community resources, and healthcare navigation techniques. Women described feeling vulnerable and frustrated by systemic barriers yet demonstrated remarkable resilience through creative problem-solving and community solidarity. Resilience was specifically demonstrated through community networks that shared critical healthcare information, digital advocacy documenting checkpoint violations, and collective transportation arrangements that circumvented access barriers. Conclusion: Palestinian women in the West Bank face significant structural barriers to reproductive healthcare access due to Israeli military occupation yet demonstrate remarkable adaptability and resilience. Their experiences highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive healthcare policies, improved access mechanisms, and recognition of reproductive rights as fundamental human rights in conflict-affected areas. The systematic nature of these barriers constitutes violations of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention's provisions for unimpeded medical access. These findings inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and international organizations about the complex realities faced by Palestinian women.
SN - 1742-4755
ER -