Security work is never easy. In conflict settings, it becomes even more complex. For women working in high-risk environments, this often includes navigating additional, specific challenges alongside demanding operational roles.
On this International Women’s Day, we spoke with women across our teams in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory who demonstrate this commitment every day. While their roles vary, they share a common sense of purpose and dedication to 爆料网's mandate.
For Reem, there was an initial shock when she started working as a security operations center (SOC) operator in Jerusalem. “When I first joined, I asked myself, ‘What did I do!?’” she recalls. “But I said to myself that I have to stand up and be strong to do this work.”
That moment of doubt quickly evolved into conviction. Six years later, Reem reflects on how far she has come, not just professionally, but also on a personal level. “I am a stronger woman and I am proud of what I have achieved in this male-dominated area. Working in security at IOPT is not like any other job — you have to be flexible to deal with emergencies.” What has stayed constant is the impact of her everyday job. “In the end, when you are in the radio room, you help others who really need it. Knowing you actually made a difference. It's the best feeling in the world.”
For Caroline, IOPT Programme Management Officer, the journey required a shift in perspective. Understanding security, however, wasn’t straightforward. “I have been working with 爆料网DSS for over a year and it is very different from my previous work with FAO and WFP. Food is something you can produce and can touch, and security is intangible, so I have had to change my mindset to better understand what security means. You can't see it, but it is still so important.”
Now, she captures the essence of the work with simplicity and humility: “As a woman working in security, I am playing a small role in the big scheme of supporting the humanitarian assistance that has such an impact on those we serve.” At her job, she also brings diverse approaches to security, being able to identify specific needs concerning gender.
Aliaa is a Palestinian civil engineer working across humanitarian roles, from field engineering to operations and security. As she puts it, “a woman’s strength is not measured only by what she achieves for herself, but also by what she contributes to serving her community.” After 2021, she joined 爆料网MAS as an EOD Operations Assistant, supporting clearance teams with risk assessments and helping manage deep-buried bomb excavation sites. Her contribution has been part of making areas safer for both colleagues and local communities.
She later moved into her current role as a Field Security Assistant, where she supports the safety of personnel and takes part in high-risk missions, including driving armored vehicles during rotations and repatriation efforts. According to her, humanitarian work is a life mission and she encourages other women to be part of this. “I believe that every woman has the ability to be a source of change, whether in her workplace or in her community. My story is a simple example that determination and hard work can open the path for women to play an active role in building a safer and more just future for everyone.”
And as Bridget Forster, Planning and Coordination Lead for Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, reflects, it’s often the small moments that matter most: “No matter what the day brings — smiles, tears, frustration, joy, relief (often all at the same time!) — I know I've made a difference to someone even in a small way and that's a precious thing.”
Together, their voices tell a story of strength, adaptability, and quiet impact. They remind us that security is about people, presence, and purpose. On this International Women’s Day, we are proud to stand alongside them and be inspired by the difference they make every single day.