UN Issues Stark Warning: Women and Girls Face Growing Threats in Armed Conflicts Worldwide

Armed conflicts around the world are becoming increasingly deadly for women and girls. According to a United Nations report, one in every four civilians killed in conflicts last year was a woman or a girl. This proportion is twice the level recorded in 2021. The United Nations has warned that the consequences of war extend far beyond fatalities. Sexual violence, maternal deaths, poverty, and the destruction of essential services have further worsened the hardships faced by women and girls. According to the UN’s annual report on Women, Peace and Security, more than 37,000 civilians were killed in armed conflicts last year. At least 25 women and girls are losing their lives every day in conflict-affected areas. The report states that approximately 750 million women and girls live within 50 kilometers of active conflict zones. This figure is 40 million higher than in 2024 and has reached its highest level since 1990.

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, presented the report in New York and said that war is becoming increasingly lethal for women and girls. According to her, war has become a reality that women can no longer ignore, as its consequences are now reaching their homes and affecting their daily lives. The report states that the United Nations verified 9,788 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2025. This figure is more than double the number recorded the previous year and nearly four times the level reported in 2022. Haiti recorded a 163 per cent increase in reported cases of sexual violence. These figures highlight the severity of the dangers women and girls face during armed conflicts. The report also expressed concern over the limited representation of women in peace negotiations. Although women bear many of the devastating consequences of war, they continue to have insufficient representation in discussions aimed at resolving conflicts.

Women’s health is also under severe strain in areas affected by armed conflicts. According to the report, pregnant women in conflict-affected countries face a risk of dying during childbirth that is five times higher than that faced by women in peaceful countries.

The destruction of hospitals and maternity centers in Gaza, combined with shortages of essential medical supplies, has further deteriorated the situation. The report highlights a 41 per cent decline in live births and a 300 per cent increase in miscarriages. The destruction of medical facilities has disrupted access to the care required by pregnant women and newborn babies. Under such circumstances, even routine medical services can become a matter of life and death.

Poverty and Unpaid Care Work Add to Women’s Burdens

According to the UN report, approximately 170 million women and girls live in areas affected by both armed conflict and extreme poverty. These women and girls survive on less than $3 a day. In conflict-affected countries, women spend five times as much time on unpaid care work as men and boys. This includes caring for children and other family members, as well as managing everyday household responsibilities. As war disrupts income, healthcare, and access to essential services, the economic and social pressures on women increase further.

The report also expressed concern over the increasing use of drones and long-range weapons in populated areas. Attacks on schools, markets, and hospitals were identified as serious threats to civilian safety. The figures presented by the United Nations highlight the severe human consequences of armed conflicts. In addition to deaths, women and girls face sexual violence, shortages of medical care, poverty, and growing responsibilities for unpaid care work. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring women’s meaningful participation in peace efforts and strengthening the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.