UN Women raises alarm over impact of Middle East escalation on women and girls

10 April 2026, 1:32 pm

Byamukama Alozious

 UN Women has raised concern over the growing impact of the recent military escalation in the Middle East on women and girls, warning that the crisis is deepening humanitarian suffering across the region.

In a statement released from Geneva, Cairo, and Bangkok, UN Women echoed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’s cautious welcome of a two-week ceasefire announced between the United States and Iran, while expressing alarm over continued violence, including Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

According to the agency, women and girls are among the hardest hit. On 28 February 2026, at least 168 girls were reportedly killed when a strike hit a primary school in Minab, Iran. Since then, hundreds more women and girls have been killed across affected countries, including Iran and Lebanon.

The crisis has also triggered massive displacement. An estimated 1.6 million women and girls have fled their homes in Iran, while about 620,000 have been displaced in Lebanon. Many are now living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, increasing their exposure to violence and limiting access to healthcare, protection, and livelihoods.

UN Women further warned that the destruction of critical infrastructure is worsening the situation. Access to hospitals, clean water, and essential services has been severely disrupted. Even before the escalation, thousands of pregnant women in places like Gaza and Lebanon were already struggling to access maternal healthcare.

Food insecurity is also rising sharply. Across countries such as Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and the occupied Palestinian territory, millions of women and girls are facing hunger due to high food prices, supply disruptions, and economic strain.

The organization also highlighted challenges facing women’s rights groups in the region, noting increasing security risks, shrinking civic space, and funding shortages. Some women human rights defenders have reportedly faced arrest, intimidation, and even death.

UN Women says it is scaling up support on the ground, including protection services and livelihood programs, while ensuring women are involved in response and recovery efforts.

The agency has called for an immediate de-escalation, protection of civilians, and full humanitarian access. It also urged that the temporary ceasefire be used as a foundation for a lasting and just peace that safeguards the rights and dignity of women and girls.