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While the United Nations warns of a looming famine, UN Women reviewed several facts that show how the war on Gaza is also a war on women.
- Around 9,000 women have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza so far. This number is likely an underestimate, as many women are reported to have died under the rubble.
- Every day that the war in Gaza continues, at the current rate, an average of 63 women will continue to be killed.
- About 37 mothers are killed every day, destroying the lives of their families and reducing the protection of their children.
- Approximately 4 out of 5 women (84%) reported that their families eat less than half the food they used to before the war began. Mothers and adult women are responsible for bringing and preparing food but are the most neglected when it comes to eating.
- 4 in 5 women (84%) in Gaza report that at least one member of their family had to miss meals during the past week. In 95% of these cases, mothers do not eat and skip at least one meal to feed their children. UN Women said that all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people will face severe levels of food insecurity within weeks – the highest level ever recorded.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 women (87%) reported that they find it more difficult to obtain food than men. Some women are now resorting to extreme coping mechanisms, such as searching for food under rubble or in trash cans.
- 10 out of 12 women’s organizations surveyed in Gaza reported being partially operational, providing basic emergency response services.
- Despite the exceptional efforts made by these organizations – the Commission said – less than 1% of the funding raised through the 2023 flash appeal has been allocated to national or local women’s rights organizations.
- The authority said that directing funding to these organizations is critical to meeting the enormous needs of women, their families, and communities and to ensure that the voices of women in Gaza are heard.