UNFPA Warns of Growing Hardship for Women-Led Households in Gaza

UNFPA Warns of Growing Hardship for Women-Led Households in Gaza
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The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says more than 57,000 households in the Gaza Strip are now headed by women, many facing severe hardship amid overcrowding, hunger and widespread disease, Anadolu Agency reported.

UNFPA’s Representative in Palestine, Nestor Owomuhangi, told a virtual press briefing that families continue to live in packed shelters where basic needs remain unmet. He described witnessing difficult conditions during visits to hospitals, safe spaces for women and girls, youth hubs and displacement sites across the enclave.

Owomuhangi said women leading households are among the most at risk, many without income to support their children. He noted that winter rains and flooding have intensified the suffering, while families increasingly queue for hours to receive limited food and water. According to him, many residents now seek only minimal essentials such as tents, heaters or light instead of long-term recovery needs.

The UN official also highlighted the dire state of Gaza’s health system, saying only about one-third of medical facilities are partially functioning and all face shortages of staff and supplies. He emphasized that the system continues to operate largely due to the persistence of health workers who refuse to leave their posts.

Since the Oct. 10 ceasefire, UNFPA says it has assisted 120,000 women and girls with reproductive health services, dignity kits and support for survivors of gender-based violence. The agency is currently supporting 22 health facilities, dozens of safe spaces and youth hubs, and aims to expand operations in 2026.

Owomuhangi stressed that restrictions on humanitarian access persist, with limited crossings and bureaucratic delays slowing aid delivery. He called for predictable, secure access through all entry points to enable meaningful recovery efforts.