UN Reports Doubling of Women Killed in Conflicts

According to a recent United Nations report, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled in 2023, accounting for 40% of all conflict-related deaths, with verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence increasing by 50%. The UN recorded at least 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts this year, with the majority occurring in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. The report highlights severe restrictions on healthcare access for women in war zones, noting that 500 women and girls die daily from pregnancy-related complications. Despite calls for women's involvement in peace processes, women represented less than 10% of negotiators in over 50 peace talks in 2023. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized the ongoing targeting of women's rights and the dire implications for peace. This report comes nearly 25 years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which aimed to protect women and girls in conflicts.