More than 38,000 women and girls have lost their lives in the conflict in Gaza, as reported by the UN gender equality agency. Of this total, 22,000 were women and 16,000 were girls, with an average of 47 women and girls being killed each day, according to Sofia Calltorp, Chief of Humanitarian Action for the agency, speaking to journalists in Geneva.
"These individuals who were killed were not just statistics, they were mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who were deeply cherished by those around them," Calltorp acknowledged. She highlighted that the violence has persisted in recent months, despite a ceasefire between Hamas fighters and the Israeli military.
Furthermore, data reveals that close to 11,000 women and girls have been wounded, many of whom now have life-altering disabilities. The actual toll could be higher as numerous bodies remain trapped under debris, UN Women stated. According to Gaza's health authorities, over 72,315 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, with an additional 172,137 injured since October 2023.
The ongoing crisis has led to a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with numerous households now being led by women who are facing heightened economic challenges and safety concerns.
Six months after the ceasefire was implemented in Gaza last October, women and girls are still exposed to significant and enduring risks, as the humanitarian needs remain acute and the recovery efforts fragile.
"This conflict has redefined families. Many households are now being headed by women," emphasized Ms. Calltorp from UN Women. "These women, having lost their husbands, are left to support their families without income, assistance, or access to essential services."
Moreover, Ms. Calltorp stressed the critical need for fundamental services, such as sexual and reproductive health care and access to sanitary products. She recounted a visit to Gaza in November where she encountered two women who had to give birth on the street due to the lack of transportation to functional hospitals.
UN Women is advocating for the full observance of the ceasefire, compliance with international law, and increased humanitarian aid, emphasizing the necessity of placing women and girls at the core of the recovery and peacebuilding endeavors.
The agency continues to operate on the ground in Gaza in collaboration with women-led and women's rights organizations.
Working alongside the UN system, aid partners, and women's groups, UN Women strives to provide vital support to all women and girls and to ensure that women's organizations are both funded and represented in decision-making processes and reconstruction efforts.
