In a man-made war, women and children, who are not even participating in the conflicts, are the ones who have to pay the higher price. In war zones, women and girls often face a harsh reality: their safety and rights take a backseat amid the chaos. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is no exception, with women expected to bear the heaviest burden both now and in the years to come.History—and current crises in places like the Sahel, Tigray, and Afghanistan—shows the same pattern: gender alone makes women and girls more vulnerable to sexual violence, physical and verbal abuse, and restricted access to essential resources, all while confronting life-threatening conditions on the frontlines.The world is now witnessing more wars than at any time since the end of World War II — and women and girls are bearing the brunt.European Commission for equality Hadja Lahbib, sharing the data, said that wars hit women & children hardest.“Wars hit women & children hardest. The latest @UN report confirms it. 4x more women & children were killed in conflicts between 2023-2024, compared to 21-22 70% of women killed in war died in Gaza Sexual violence up 87% (2022-2024,” she said.
What UN report said?
According to the 2025 UN Secretary-General’s report on Women, Peace and Security, a staggering 676 million women now live within 50 kilometers of an active conflict zone — the highest number in decades.Civilian casualties among women and children have quadrupled compared to the last two years, and cases of conflict-related sexual violence have surged by 87 percent.Four times more women and children were killed in armed conflicts between 2023-2024, compared to 2021-2022 Globally, 7 out of every 10 women killed in conflicts worldwide died in Gaza. Released on the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 — a landmark commitment to women’s participation in peace and security — the report warns that decades of hard-won progress are unraveling.UN Women chief Sima Bahous said: “Women and girls are being killed in record numbers, shut out of peace tables, and left unprotected as wars multiply. Women do not need more promises — they need power, protection, and equal participation.”Despite evidence that peace lasts longer when women are involved, nine out of ten peace processes in 2024 had no women negotiators. Globally, women made up only 7 percent of negotiators and 14 percent of mediators.Meanwhile, while global military spending hit a record $2.7 trillion, women’s organizations in conflict zones received a mere 0.4 percent of aid funding — forcing many frontline groups to shut down.The report also highlights how women in war zones face daily dangers from landmines and unexploded ordnance. Survivors often struggle with lifelong disabilities, social stigma, and almost no access to rehabilitation.The Siem Reap–Angkor Action Plan (2025–2029) — which supports the global ban on anti-personnel mines — emphasizes that gender and diversity must be at the heart of mine action and peacebuilding efforts.
Here are some data:
Israel Gaza war
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli Armed Forces strikes on Gaza, UN Women has examined the differentiated effects on women, men, boys, and girls to guide targeted humanitarian responses.In Israel, the attacks killed around 1,200 people, including many women and at least 33 children. UN Women has raised concerns over multiple reports of gender-based violence and sexual assault during and after the attacks. Additionally, some 250 people were abducted, including approximately 65 women.In Gaza, hundreds of thousands of civilians have endured months of unbearable conditions, with women and girls disproportionately affected by displacement. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation, and UNICEF has described Gaza as the “most dangerous place to be a child.”The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is acute: four in five residents face hunger, and the World Food Programme warns of potential famine. UN Women’s data offers a snapshot of how women and girls have faced violence, displacement, and socio-economic disruption since 7 October 2023.
Russia-Ukraine war
Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian women and girls are paying a staggering price — in lives, livelihoods, and lost opportunities.According to the United Nations, data released in February 2024, nearly 1.9 million women have been displaced within Ukraine, while 6.7 million are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. At least 3,799 women and 289 girls have been killed — though the UN says the true toll is likely much higher.The war has reversed an entire generation’s progress, pushing Ukrainian women back into survival mode. Gender-based violence has surged by 36 percent since 2022, fueled by war-related trauma, displacement, and insecurity.According to the verified figures, released in November 2024, at least 2,406 children have been killed or injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion began — that’s an average of 16 young lives shattered every week. The count includes 659 children killed and 1,747 injured, though the UN warns the real numbers could be far higher.
Sudan civil war
The Sudan conflict has disproportionately impacted women and girls, who make up 53 per cent of internally displaced persons—over 5.8 million displaced within the country and more than half of the 12 million displaced overall. Gender-based violence has surged, with those at risk tripling in under two years and demand for support services rising 288 per cent in 2024, as per UN data released in May 2025.The conflict erupted on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan, already struggling with decades of political instability, economic turmoil, and climate-driven disasters, now hosts the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 30 million people—64 per cent of the population—needing assistance. Peace talks have yet to begin.Economic collapse has left many women dependent on aid, heightening vulnerability to abuse. Over 24.6 million people face acute food insecurity, while nearly 80 per cent of hospitals are non-functional, limiting maternal and mental health care. Women remain largely excluded from peace negotiations.
Yemen civil war
Women and children are shouldering the heaviest burden of Yemen’s ongoing crisis. Of the 4.5 million internally displaced, roughly 80 percent are women and children, with at least 26 percent of displaced households headed by females, 20 percent of whom are under 18.Women and girls often bear the responsibility of sustaining their families while confronting inequality, limited access to services, and barriers imposed by deep-rooted sociocultural norms. Rampant inflation and scarce livelihood opportunities have left many unable to afford basic meals, increasing their vulnerability to starvation, gender-based violence, exploitation, and child marriage.Malnutrition rates among women and children in Yemen remain among the highest globally, with 1.4 million pregnant or breastfeeding women requiring treatment for acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, children continue to die from conflict-related injuries, preventable diseases, and hunger. Nearly half of Yemeni children under five are malnourished, and more than 2.5 million school-aged children are out of school. Displacement and school shortages force many children to abandon education to support their families.
