New York: Europe and the Arabs
UN Women said that in the occupied Palestinian territory, approximately 493,000 women and girls were displaced from their homes in Gaza, following the attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza. According to what was stated in the daily United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Saturday morning
The number of widows in the Gaza Strip has also increased, with about 900 women now supporting their families after the death of their male partners, according to a report published by UN Women on Friday, which highlighted the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on people in Gaza, including women and girls.
The report warned that these numbers would continue to rise if a ceasefire was not reached.
Deputy Director of UN Women, Sarah Hendricks, said that the body called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of relief, including food, water, fuel and health supplies, which she said were essential for the survival of women and girls in the Gaza Strip.
She stressed the need to ensure women and girls' immediate access to services and prevent gender-based violence.
She also stressed the importance of supporting women-led organizations that stand on the front lines of humanitarian response and promoting the meaningful participation of women in humanitarian and political operations.
UN Women noted that women and girls are searching for space in overcrowded shelters that lack basic supplies such as food, water and privacy, which increases protection risks.
A desperate situation even before the crisis
Even before the current crisis, the situation in Gaza was desperate, with 97 percent of men and 98 percent of women fearing for their safety. Depression levels among women and men were high due to unemployment and a deep sense of hopelessness.
Fifty-four percent of Gaza men showed signs of anxiety and depression, the highest percentage in the Middle East, according to the UN Women report.
The Commission explained that, since the beginning of the current crisis, it has been playing an important role in coordinating the United Nations humanitarian response on gender equality, as it provided an analysis of the differential impact of war on women and girls, to ensure adequate responses to their needs.
The Women's Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Action also launched an emergency appeal to support local women's organizations in Palestine.
The Women's Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Action is a partnership between the United Nations, Member States and civil society to support women-led and women's rights organizations working to build peace and provide humanitarian response around the world.
UN Women confirmed that it remains present on the ground and ready to provide support and assistance.