The Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women held a special discussion on Monday morning on the subject of "Recognition and Treatment of Combat Shocks" to mark the Day of Appreciation for Combat Shocks and Shocks. The committee discussion, chaired by MK Pnina Tamanu Shteh, was the first discussion ever to raise the phenomenon of shell shock. "Women have always fought for Israel, some of them gave their lives and some of them suffered mental injuries, and today's discussion will raise the issue of PTSD in women fighters and recognize the phenomenon."
Shir Peled, shell-shocked and founder of the Brotherhood of Warriors community: "I never thought four years ago that I would sit in a Knesset debate on the subject of PTSD. This is a great achievement and a change in perception. This is the first time this has happened. Everywhere I went, I was told, 'A woman with PTSD due to operational service? There is no such thing,' I served in the undercover unit of the Border Police. One of the first 4 female fighters in the unit. There is a double battle because there is no recognition that there are female fighters, and even more so that there is PTSD in women. Women contacted me who told me the same stories. We need to start bringing awareness to the issue."
Border Policewomen (the subjects have no connection to the article),
Dana Pinchasov, the first permanent medic in the Border Police who took up the position following the High Court of Justice. "I was critically injured in a bombing attack on bus No. 18 in Jerusalem 27 years ago. It took me years to open the difficulties. I was ashamed to talk about it. Every woman sitting here faces a double battle for, 'I'm a mother, so I won't function?' A shell-shocked man will either leave the house or lock himself in a room. We have to set up a Shabbat table and weep alone in the room. The assistance they will give us will be during pregnancy and after the birth and then that's it. Our daily coping is different. Our battle is a struggle to get up every morning, and through the program we set up for 20 women, we overcome all the difficulties."
Noa Rofeh, head of the Rehabilitation Services Unit at the Ministry of Defense, brought the data: "Of the 3834 women recognized by the Ministry of Defense, 553 are recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder – 270 of them are married. The system today doesn't say what the injury was for." Chairperson: "It's important for me to know what the injury was for, I want to praise the women fighters." Doctor: "Today there is no definition of shell shock, post-trauma due to combat. I spoke with experts in the field and we treat PTSD just like a woman who was injured in an attack. We are in the process of change and understand that we need unique solutions for women."
MK Sharon Nir,
Vered Paragon, who miscarried her baby while working as a police officer after being kicked by a drug addict, cried out: "Open your ears and listen. It's not the money or the percentages. Don't underestimate what we feel. It hurts and it's hard for me. The committees are terribly dismissive. I haven't left the house for 13 years. I experienced 16 years of inferno during my work as a police officer. A psychiatrist asks how many children you have and says, 'How did you get to 4 children with your situation?' What are these questions?" Shiri added: "In the committee a month ago, a doctor wrote that I was well-groomed and therefore I didn't deserve anything." The Chairperson: "We'll look into it, it's just an outrageous statement. In four months, we will convene again after the Ministry of Defense holds a round table to formulate a focused response for female soldiers suffering from PTSD, alongside special training for all employees."
Integration of female fighters into elite units || Photo: IDF Spokesperson
MK Sharon Nir (Yisrael Beiteinu), who serves as a reserve officer with the rank of brigadier general, said: "You are pioneers on the way. When you look at the issue of female fighters, the issue is relatively in diapers. We need to deal with the issue of post-trauma because just as we want equal opportunities for women in the army, we also need equal rights. The phenomenon is under the table under a veil of shame and concealment. One soul reform with the Rehabilitation Department is in the legislative process and there is a real opportunity here that must put the issue on the table."
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