Violence against women in Gaza: UNFPA reports a sharp surge

Why is violence against women in Gaza increasing?

The protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip has dismantled the social structures that previously offered protection to women and girls. According to the UNFPA, the combination of mass destruction, multiple waves of displacement, and the collapse of public services has created a vacuum where gender-based violence can flourish. Nestor Owomuhangi, the UNFPA representative to Palestine, noted that the extreme circumstances of the past three years have eroded existing systems, leaving individuals without reliable safeguards.

The humanitarian environment is characterized by extreme poverty and a lack of privacy. With nearly the entire population of over two million people displaced, most residents live in overcrowded, squalid tent camps or damaged buildings. In these settings, the lack of secure sanitation facilities and lighting poses specific risks. UN safety audits have highlighted that women and girls often face heightened risks at night, leading many to avoid using communal camp toilets and bathrooms for fear of harassment or assault.

The impact of displacement and poverty

Displacement has fundamentally altered the demographic and social landscape of Gaza. Nearly one in four households is now headed by a woman, a figure that has doubled since the start of the conflict. This shift places immense pressure on women who are often widowed or have husbands who are missing or detained, making them primary targets for exploitation. The lack of adequate shelter and the reliance on charitable handouts further exacerbate this vulnerability, as seen in testimonies where women have been offered housing in exchange for sexual favors.

How has child marriage surged in Gaza?

Early and forced marriage incidents saw a dramatic rise in the second quarter of 2026, increasing by 123% relative to the first quarter of the year. The UNFPA defines early marriage as the marriage of girls under the age of 18. In Gaza, these marriages often involve girls between the ages of 12 and 17. While such practices were present before the war, they were on a downward trend; however, the current crisis has reversed this progress.

Several drivers contribute to this surge:

• Economic desperation: Families facing famine or extreme poverty have reportedly exchanged daughters for food, such as bags of flour, to ensure the survival of other children.
• "Protection" through marriage: In a socially conservative society, some families view marrying off daughters as a way to protect them from sexual harassment or to preserve modesty in crowded camps.
• Loss of guardianship: The death of parents in airstrikes often leaves girls without traditional protectors, leading uncles or other relatives to marry them off to reduce the responsibility and expense of their care.

The legal landscape has also weakened. While Gazan law allows for marriage exceptions for those as young as 14 with judicial authorization, local Sharia courts—which oversee family matters—have been closed for large portions of the war. This closure has effectively removed many of the legal safeguards that previously monitored such unions.

What are the health consequences of adolescent pregnancy?

The rise in child marriage has led to a direct increase in adolescent pregnancies, which health workers describe as a critical concern. The Women's Affairs Center in Gaza, working alongside the UNFPA, has documented numerous cases where young girls suffer significant physical and psychological harm due to early pregnancy. Because these girls are often still undergoing physical development, the medical risks are substantial.

The specific health risks for these young mothers include:

• Higher rates of miscarriage: Adolescent bodies are often unable to sustain a pregnancy, especially under conditions of malnutrition.
• Underweight infants: Malnutrition among the mother directly impacts the birth weight and long-term health of the child.
• Lack of maternal knowledge: Many of these girls are entering motherhood without the physiological or psychological maturity to care for themselves or an infant.

Nestor Owomuhangi emphasized that the combination of an undeveloped body, hunger, and unhygienic living conditions makes the consequences of these pregnancies "always really, really bad."

Is sexual violence in Gaza being reported more frequently?

Incidents of sexual violence, including rape and sexual assault, have reached critical levels in Gaza. According to UNFPA analysis, these incidents accounted for 2.7% of all reported gender-based violence cases between April and June 2026, an increase from 2.1% in the previous quarter. This represents a 61% surge in absolute case numbers. However, experts suggest this rise may partly reflect improved efforts to raise awareness and provide confidential reporting mechanisms.

Despite the increase in reports, sexual violence remains significantly under-reported due to the intense fear of social stigma and retaliation. The demographic breakdown of survivors shows that the majority are women aged 18-59, while adolescent girls represent 8% of reported cases. Men also account for 5% of reported incidents. The breakdown of the educational system has also removed a vital protective layer; before the war, girls in Gaza outperformed boys in education, but prolonged school closures have now left many girls without the safety and structure provided by a school environment.

What can be done to mitigate these risks?

Humanitarian agencies argue that improving basic living conditions is essential to reducing the vulnerability of women and girls. There are specific calls for the improvement of infrastructure to provide more dignity and safety. This includes the provision of higher-quality shelters and the upgrading of sanitation facilities, such as latrines, which require better lighting and secure access to prevent nighttime assaults.

Long-term mitigation strategies currently being discussed or implemented include:

• Education initiatives: Efforts to restart schooling to provide girls with a safe environment and a path away from early marriage.
• Healthcare expansion: Improving access to maternal and reproductive health services to manage the risks of adolescent pregnancy.
• Legal and social campaigns: Developing long-term programs to combat domestic violence and child marriage once stability is restored.

The ability to implement these measures is often hindered by restrictions on goods entering the territory, particularly items that are classified as having potential dual-use for military purposes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current rate of child marriage in Gaza?

The UNFPA reported a 123% increase in early and forced marriage incidents in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter. These marriages frequently involve girls aged between 12 and 17, driven by economic necessity and the breakdown of social protections.

How does the war affect the safety of women in displacement camps?

Displacement has forced women into overcrowded, poorly lit, and unsanitary camps. The lack of privacy and secure sanitation facilities increases the risk of sexual harassment and assault, particularly at night, causing many women to avoid using communal bathrooms.

Why is adolescent pregnancy a major concern in Gaza?

Adolescent pregnancies are rising due to child marriage. Because these girls are often malnourished and physically undeveloped, they face much higher risks of miscarriage and delivering underweight babies compared to adult women.

Are sexual violence cases being under-reported?

Yes, sexual violence is likely under-reported due to the significant social stigma and fear of retaliation. While recent data shows a 61% surge in absolute case numbers, this may also be attributed to better confidential reporting channels.

What role does food insecurity play in gender-based violence?

Extreme hunger and poverty act as direct drivers of violence. There are documented cases where families have married off young daughters in exchange for food, such as flour, to ensure the survival of other family members.