UN Warns Global Conflicts Have Deepened Violence and Deprivation Against Women
UN Warns Global Conflicts Have Deepened Violence and Deprivation Against Women
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The United Nations has warned that the growing number of wars and conflicts worldwide has created an unprecedented threat to women’s security and rights.
According to the latest UN report — the world is now witnessing the highest number of active conflicts since 1946, placing millions of women at severe risk. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that 676 million women currently live within 50 kilometers of deadly conflict zones — the highest figure in three decades.
Civilian casualties among women and children have quadrupled, while sexual violence in conflict has surged by 87 percent, the report found. It warned that two decades of progress on women’s rights and participation in peacebuilding are now at risk of collapse.
Sima Bahous, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, stressed that women “do not need more promises — they need power, support, and equal participation in decision-making.”
Despite evidence showing that women’s participation leads to more sustainable peace, they remain largely excluded from peace processes — representing only 7 percent of negotiators and 14 percent of mediators globally.
According to Deutsche Welle, women’s organizations operating in conflict zones receive only 0.4 percent of global aid, leaving many on the verge of shutting down.
The report urged governments and international organizations to prioritize gender-based data collection, ensure accountability for violations, and provide justice and compensation to survivors.
UN analysts concluded that without inclusive policies and meaningful support, the ongoing surge in conflicts will continue to intensify violence and marginalization against women, undermining their role in achieving lasting peace and global security.
