Political

Women and girls in conflict: share of civilian war deaths doubles since 2021, UN report says

By /

Women and girls in conflict accounted for one in four of the more than 37,000 civilians killed in armed conflict last year, double their share in 2021, according to the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on Women, Peace and Security released on Monday, 26 October 2026.

women and girls in conflict: Two women sit outside their temporary shelter in Gaza
Two women sit outside their temporary shelter in Gaza Photo: © UNRWA via UN News (editorial use with credit).

Women and girls in conflict: the key numbers

At least 25 women and girls are killed every day in conflict settings, the report finds, UN News said. Some 750 million women and girls now live within 50 kilometres of an active conflict, 40 million more than in 2024 and more than at any time since 1990. In 2025, the UN verified 9,788 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, more than twice as many as the year before and almost four times as many as in 2022. In Haiti, reported cases of sexual violence rose by 163 per cent. “War is getting deadlier for women and girls, and the world is allowing it to happen,” UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda told journalists in New York.

Key Facts

  • Share of civilian deaths: 1 in 4 (double 2021)
  • Civilians killed last year: 37,000+
  • Sexual violence cases verified in 2025: 9,788
  • Women near active conflict: about 750 million
  • Women negotiators in 2025: 5% across 57 processes

“War is getting deadlier for women and girls, and the world is allowing it to happen.”

— Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Women

Maternal deaths, poverty and unpaid care

A woman giving birth in a conflict-affected country is five times more likely to die from maternal causes than one in a stable country, Ms Gumbonzvanda said. In Gaza, the destruction of hospitals and maternity facilities and the collapse of access to supplies have contributed to a 41 per cent fall in live births and a 300 per cent rise in miscarriages, according to the report. Around 170 million women and girls live in both conflict zones and extreme poverty, surviving on less than $3 a day. In conflict-affected countries, women spend five times as many hours on unpaid care work as men and boys. The report also warns about the growing use of drones and long-range weapons in populated areas, including attacks on schools, markets and hospitals.

Few women at peace talks as military spending hits a record

Women made up just five per cent of negotiators across 57 peace processes in 2025, and none of 13 ceasefire agreements explicitly banned conflict-related sexual violence, the report says. Global military spending reached a record $2.9 trillion last year, while 40 per cent of women’s organisations in crisis settings expect to close temporarily or permanently within a year because of funding shortfalls. “More women and girls are trapped in wars than at any point in decades. Yet military spending keeps rising and development assistance keeps falling,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. UN Women is calling for protection of women and girls, their meaningful role in peace and security, investment in women-led peacebuilding and an end to impunity.

Why It Matters: The figures show how wars hit women through violence, lost health care and poverty, and why their absence from peace talks matters for lasting settlements.

Also on TrendDesh: Sudan women step up as frontline responders as El Fasher marks one year since siege · Gaza food aid cut by a third as WFP funding shortfall hits 500,000 people before winter

Source: UN News, 26 Oct 2026 · UN Women

Share

Today’s News 27 Oct 2026 · 18 stories

  1. NASA USDA agreement: space agency data to help track crops, yields and drought in the US1NASA USDA agreement: space agency data to help track crops, yields and drought in the USOct 27, 2026
  2. Ukraine war crimes: UN inquiry says Russian strikes on power plants targeted civilians2Ukraine war crimes: UN inquiry says Russian strikes on power plants targeted civiliansOct 27, 2026
  3. Mars dust: NASA Perseverance finds ultrafine particles that could reach astronauts’ lungs3Mars dust: NASA Perseverance finds ultrafine particles that could reach astronauts’ lungsOct 27, 2026
  4. Ebola in DR Congo: UN and WHO condemn killing of a nurse responding to an alert in Tshopo4Ebola in DR Congo: UN and WHO condemn killing of a nurse responding to an alert in TshopoOct 27, 2026
  5. Fall foliage from space: NASA PACE satellite maps where leaves turn red across the globe5Fall foliage from space: NASA PACE satellite maps where leaves turn red across the globeOct 27, 2026
  6. Women and girls in conflict: share of civilian war deaths doubles since 2021, UN report says6Women and girls in conflict: share of civilian war deaths doubles since 2021, UN report saysOct 27, 2026 · Reading now
  7. Guterres in Egypt warns Iran-US sabre-rattling could push the region out of control7Guterres in Egypt warns Iran-US sabre-rattling could push the region out of controlOct 27, 2026
  8. Rajasthan panchayat election: State Election Commissioner leads voter awareness rally in Sikar8Rajasthan panchayat election: State Election Commissioner leads voter awareness rally in SikarOct 27, 2026
  9. Rajasthan recruitment: 1.9 lakh appointments so far and 45,645 more due soon, Chief Secretary told9Rajasthan recruitment: 1.9 lakh appointments so far and 45,645 more due soon, Chief Secretary toldOct 27, 2026
  10. INS Trishul reaches Civitavecchia in Italy after a passage exercise with the Italian Navy10INS Trishul reaches Civitavecchia in Italy after a passage exercise with the Italian NavyOct 27, 2026
  11. Child labour in Rajasthan: about 5,000 children freed in four years, Chief Secretary orders survey11Child labour in Rajasthan: about 5,000 children freed in four years, Chief Secretary orders surveyOct 27, 2026
  12. NIT Raipur and INAE open youth engineering conclave with about 270 participants in 180 teams12NIT Raipur and INAE open youth engineering conclave with about 270 participants in 180 teamsOct 27, 2026
  13. Rajasthan milk production is second in India, Governor Bagde tells veterinary symposium in Jobner13Rajasthan milk production is second in India, Governor Bagde tells veterinary symposium in JobnerOct 27, 2026
  14. Plastic engineering in agriculture: 22nd AICRP PEASEM workshop opens in Ranipool, Sikkim14Plastic engineering in agriculture: 22nd AICRP PEASEM workshop opens in Ranipool, SikkimOct 27, 2026
  15. Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 begins: integrity pledges at Bhilai Steel Plant and Union ministries15Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 begins: integrity pledges at Bhilai Steel Plant and Union ministriesOct 27, 2026
  16. Science on Wheels: IIT Mandi takes hands-on science to 50 Himachal Pradesh schools16Science on Wheels: IIT Mandi takes hands-on science to 50 Himachal Pradesh schoolsOct 27, 2026
  17. HNLU COLOSSUS and IMUNYP 2026 end in Raipur with about 1,000 students from 25 colleges17HNLU COLOSSUS and IMUNYP 2026 end in Raipur with about 1,000 students from 25 collegesOct 27, 2026
  18. BRICS Parliamentary Forum opens in Parliament’s Central Hall as PM Modi meets visiting BRICS MPs18BRICS Parliamentary Forum opens in Parliament’s Central Hall as PM Modi meets visiting BRICS MPsOct 27, 2026

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top