The UN Women has raised serious concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation facing women and girls the recent military escalation in the Middle East.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency echoed the position of António Guterres, who welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. However, UN Women expressed deep alarm over continued violence, particularly a wave of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, which has further intensified the crisis.
According to the agency, the impact on women and girls has been devastating. On Feb. 28, 2026—the first day of intensified hostilities—168 girls were reportedly killed when a strike hit a primary school in Minab, Iran. Since then, hundreds more women and girls have lost their lives across the region.
UN Women disclosed that at least 204 women have been killed in Iran, while 102 women were reported dead in Lebanon even before the heavy bombardment on April 8. Additional casualties among women and girls have also been recorded in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, the occupied Palestinian territories, and the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond the rising death toll, the crisis has triggered massive displacement. The agency estimates that up to 1.6 million people have been displaced in Iran, with about 620,000 displaced in Lebanon. Many of those affected are women and children, now forced to live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions with limited access to healthcare, protection services, and livelihoods.
The destruction of critical infrastructure has further worsened the situation. Hospitals and healthcare systems have been damaged, restricting access to life-saving services. Even before the escalation, humanitarian needs were already severe, with tens of thousands of pregnant women in Gaza and Lebanon requiring urgent maternal care.
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UN Women also highlighted the growing risks faced by women’s rights organisations, noting that many are operating under shrinking civic space, increased security threats, and funding shortages. Reports of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and violence against women human rights defenders have also emerged.
The agency called for immediate de-escalation, protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access. It stressed that the current ceasefire must serve as a stepping stone toward a lasting and inclusive peace that safeguards the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across the region.
