New York - Gaza: Europe and the Arabs
The percentage of women killed in armed conflicts doubled last year compared to 2022, accounting for 40% of all deaths in wars, while cases of conflict-related sexual violence verified by the United Nations increased by 50%. These findings came in the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on Women, Peace and Security. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning,
UN Women, the leading UN agency in preparing the report, said that the high death and violence rates "occur amid a blatant and growing disregard for international law designed to protect women and children during war."
Women Pay the Price
The United Nations recorded at least 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts in 2023, representing a 72% increase compared to 2022, and the percentage of women and children killed doubled and tripled, respectively.
The majority of recorded deaths, 70 per cent, occurred in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel – the deadliest conflict for civilians in 2023.
The report said women in war zones increasingly have limited access to healthcare. For example, 500 women and girls die every day in conflict-affected countries from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. By the end of 2023, 180 women were giving birth every day in Gaza – most without essential or adequate medical care.
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, said women continue to pay the price for wars waged by men. “This is happening in the context of a larger war on women. The deliberate targeting of women’s rights is not limited to conflict-affected countries, but is most deadly in those settings,” she added.
No peace without women
The report comes nearly 25 years after the Security Council adopted a landmark resolution on women, peace and security. Resolution 1325 (2000) recognised women’s vital contribution to preventing and resolving conflict. It called on warring parties to ensure the safety of women and girls, and for women’s full participation in peace processes.
However, despite commitments made over the years, women made up less than 10% of negotiators in more than 50 peace processes worldwide in 2023. This is despite studies showing that when women are involved, peace agreements last longer and are better implemented.
Severe funding shortages
For example, in Yemen, women-led negotiations have led to safe access to a water source for civilians. In Sudan, 49 women-led organizations are pushing for a more inclusive peace process. However, these efforts are often not supported or recognized in formal peace negotiations.
The report noted that a severe funding shortage is a key challenge. While global military spending reached a record high of $2.44 trillion in 2023, funding for organizations and movements supporting women’s rights averages just 0.3% of total aid annually.
Moreover, investments in preventing and responding to gender-based violence account for less than 1% of total humanitarian spending.

Bold action needed

The report includes eight recommendations to strengthen the role of women in peace and security. These include setting a minimum initial target of women making up one-third of all participants in mediation and peace processes, and eventually reaching parity with men.

The report concludes that only through bold political action and increased funding will women’s equal and meaningful participation in peace and security become a reality, essential for lasting peace.