New York, UN Women report said that close to 493,000 women and girls have been displaced from their homes in Gaza since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7.
UN Women’s “Rapid assessment and humanitarian response in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” sheds light on the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on the people in Gaza, including on women and girls, adding the violence has tragically resulted in a growing number of widows, as an estimated 900 women have become the heads of households following their male partners’ deaths.
If no ceasefire is achieved, these numbers will continue to rise, the report said.
Sarah Hendriks, UN Women Deputy Executive Director, ad interim, said: “UN Women has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, including food, water, fuel, and health supplies that are critical for the survival of women and girls in the Gaza Strip. It is imperative that we ensure immediate access to services for women and girls.” She stressed the importance of supporting and investing in women-led organizations, which are at the front-line of the humanitarian response, and promoting the meaningful participation of women in humanitarian and political processes.
Source: Qatar News Agency