UN Women has recently announced that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have placed women and girls in extremely vulnerable conditions, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of women and the displacement of millions more.
In a statement, the organization said that since the escalation of conflict in Iran on February 28, 204 women have been killed in the country. Additionally, during intense Israeli bombardments in Lebanon on April 8 alone, 102 women were killed.
The statement added that hundreds of women and girls have also been killed in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the United Arab Emirates.
UN Women further emphasized that as a result of attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, millions of women and girls have been forced to flee their homes, including 1.6 million in Iran and 620,000 in Lebanon.
According to the statement, displacement has exposed women and girls to increasing risks, particularly in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. This situation has limited their access to healthcare, support services, and livelihoods, while also increasing the burden of unpaid care work.
The statement also noted that in conflict-affected countries—including Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraq—24 million women and girls are facing growing food insecurity. This is driven by price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and declining purchasing power in a region heavily dependent on imports.
UN Women stated that it is present across the Middle East and is expanding its provision of protection and livelihood support, while working to ensure that women’s voices play a central role in response and recovery efforts.
The organization called for a sustainable and just peace in the region—one that guarantees the rights, safety, and dignity of all women and girls.
