War is becoming a death sentence for women and girls
War's Lethal Impact on Women and Girls
War is becoming a death sentence - At thirteen, Mona recalls the day the second airstrike struck. “We were sitting on the sixth floor when they struck the seventh—my uncle’s apartment,” she recounted. “My uncle’s wife was screaming, ‘My children! My children are gone!’ As I rushed to help her, they fired the second shell. That’s when my mother and my siblings were killed.”
“We were sitting on the sixth floor when they struck the seventh – my uncle’s apartment,” she said. “My uncle’s wife was screaming, ‘My children! My children are gone!’ As I rushed to help her, they fired the second shell. That’s when my mother and my siblings were killed.”
Mona survived the attack in Gaza, but her mother, sister, and brother did not. The airstrike obliterated her family home, leaving her with life-altering injuries, including the loss of her leg. Her experience underscores a grim trend affecting millions of women and girls in contemporary conflicts.
Escalating Conflicts and Civilian Vulnerability
As the UN observes Protection of Civilians Week, the global tally of active conflicts has reached its peak since 1946. These wars are not only longer but also more brutal, with combat zones increasingly shifting to urban areas rather than remote battlefields. The result? Civilians, including women and girls, are bearing the brunt of violence.
Bombs do not discriminate between genders, yet the aftermath of war often targets women more severely. In 2025, the UN reported 37,000 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflicts, with nearly one in five casualties being women. The statistics reveal a troubling pattern: women are disproportionately affected by displacement, disrupted education, healthcare access, and sexual violence. In Gaza, 38,000 women and girls were killed by December 2025, even as ceasefire talks persisted. Residential structures accounted for over 95% of infrastructure damage, exacerbating the crisis.
The Hidden Costs of Modern Warfare
Behind the numbers lies a human toll that extends beyond immediate casualties. In Sudan, now in its fourth year of war, the number of women and girls requiring support after gender-based violence nearly doubled in two years and has quadrupled since the conflict began. Attacks on women occur in their homes, during their search for basic necessities like food and medical care, and in moments of vulnerability.
Displacement is another consequence of conflict. By the end of 2024, over 123 million people had been forced from their homes due to war, violence, or persecution. Women and girls fleeing such chaos often face overcrowded shelters, separation from family, and repeated displacement. The psychological strain is profound, with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder becoming widespread in regions like Afghanistan, Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon. Many lack access to mental health services, compounding their suffering.
Medical Crises in Gaza
In Gaza, the UN confirmed that 94% of hospitals had been damaged or destroyed by December 2025. This has left women unable to give birth under safe conditions and injured civilians struggling to receive treatment. The situation is further worsened by shortages of sanitary supplies, affecting nearly 700,000 women and girls who cannot manage menstruation properly due to unsafe living conditions.
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War
Conflict-related sexual violence has surged, with the UN documenting over 9,300 cases in 2025—a more than twofold increase from the previous year. Officials caution that the actual number is likely even higher, as many survivors remain hesitant to report abuse. Women and girls make up over 95% of those documented, highlighting their vulnerability in war zones.
Women as Pillars of Survival
Despite the challenges, women continue to lead efforts in rebuilding communities. They run community kitchens, support displaced families, restore livelihoods, and advocate for peace. In Gaza, for example, women have become central to maintaining hope amid devastation, ensuring that children are fed and families are cared for.
The Exclusion of Women in Peace Processes
Women are often sidelined from peace negotiations, even as they endure the most severe hardships of war. Globally, they constitute only seven percent of negotiators and 14% of mediators in formal peace processes. This exclusion perpetuates inequality, as women’s voices are underrepresented in shaping the future of their communities.
Yet, their role in recovery efforts remains indispensable. From organizing relief operations to pushing for inclusive policies, women are driving resilience in the face of destruction. Their leadership is critical in addressing the multifaceted crises that arise in conflict zones.
Global Implications and the Path Forward
The UN warns that without greater protection, funding, and inclusion for women and girls, modern warfare will deepen societal inequalities and devastate generations already struggling to survive. The patterns observed in Gaza and Sudan are not isolated; they reflect a systemic issue where women’s needs are often overlooked in the chaos of war.
Efforts to ensure women’s participation in peacebuilding must be prioritized. By integrating their perspectives into decision-making, societies can create more equitable solutions. The stories of survivors like Mona serve as a reminder of the urgency to protect women and girls, not just from physical harm but from the long-term consequences of war.
As the world grapples with the escalating violence in conflicts, the plight of women and girls demands immediate attention. Their resilience, however, continues to shine through, offering a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. The path to lasting peace requires recognizing their strength and ensuring their voices are heard in the corridors of power.