The Gaza conflict “is also a war on women”, who continue to suffer its devastating impacts, the UN agency championing gender equality has said.
UN Women estimated that Israeli forces have reportedly killed 9,000 women since the war erupted nearly five months ago. However, the figure is likely to be higher as many more are reported dead under the rubble.
“While this war spares no one, UN Women data shows that it kills and injures women in unprecedented ways,” the agency said in a press release issued late on Friday.
At the current rate, an average of 63 women will continue to be killed every day as long as the fighting goes on.
Roughly 37 mothers are killed every day, leaving their families devastated and their children with diminished protection.
Famine fears
This week, UN agencies warned the Security Council of looming famine in Gaza, where the entire population, 2.3 million people, will soon face acute levels of food insecurity – the highest share ever recorded.
A UN Women rapid assessment of 120 women, conducted last month, revealed that the majority, 84 per cent, said their family eats half or less than what they did before the war began.
Although mothers and adult women are tasked with sourcing food, they are the ones who eat last, less, and the least.
Mothers skipping meals
Most women indicated that at least one family member had to skip meals during the previous week.
“In 95 per cent of those cases, mothers are the ones going without food, skipping at least one meal to feed their children,” UN Women said.
Nearly nine in 10 women also reported that it is harder to access food than men. Some are now resorting to scavenging for food under rubble or in dumpsters or other measures.
ALSO READ: Delhi Budget: AAP To Give Rs 1000 Per Month To Women Above 18
Humanitarian ceasefire now
Meanwhile, 10 out of 12 women’s organizations in Gaza reported being partly operational, according to a UN Women report on the gender aspects of the conflict issued in January.
“Unless there is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, many more will die in the coming days and weeks,” the agency said.
“The killing, bombing, and destruction of essential infrastructure in Gaza must stop. Humanitarian aid must get into and across Gaza immediately.”
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
