Violence against women surges in Gaza

The UN Population Fund reports a sharp rise in gender-based violence, including early and forced marriage, as the protracted conflict creates conditions where women and girls face escalating risks.

Forced marriage cases jump 123 percent

In the second quarter of 2026, reported cases of early and forced marriage increased by 123 percent compared to the first quarter, according to data collected by 10 organisations.

Rape victims married to attackers

Displaced women report that rape victims are often married to their rapists to avoid shame. One woman describes how weddings happen the day after rape cases are discovered in schools.

“When rape cases are discovered in schools, you find weddings and celebrations at the school the next day.”

Families trade daughters for food

Women in displacement camps describe fathers marrying off 14-year-old daughters in exchange for flour and other goods during famine. Such exchanges were unthinkable before the 2023 conflict began.

“a man married off his 14-year-old daughter in exchange for two bags of flour so he and his [other] children could eat”

Social structures have collapsed

The extreme circumstances over three years have killed tens of thousands, destroyed homes, and displaced nearly the entire population of 2.2 million Gazans. Public services have largely collapsed.

Girls drop out as schools close

Prolonged school closures have forced many children out of education. Before the war, girls in Gaza outnumbered and outperformed boys at every level above primary school.

Orphaned girls especially vulnerable

Girls whose parents were killed during the war are at heightened risk of forced marriage. Uncles sometimes marry them off to avoid the cost of caring for them.

“Because their father and mother were martyred, and their uncles wanted to get rid of the responsibility and expenses.”

Child pregnancies soar

Girls in their early teens who are married suffer higher rates of miscarriage and underweight babies than adult women. Adolescent pregnancies are rising sharply due to child marriage.

Legal safeguards removed during war

Gaza law allows marriage for those as young as 14 years and seven months with parental consent and judge approval. Legal safeguards were removed when Islamic courts closed for much of the war.

Sexual violence becomes critical

Sexual violence incidents, including rape and assault, surged 61 percent from the first to second quarter of 2026. Cases remain severely under-reported due to fear of stigma and retaliation.

Widows face exploitation and abuse

Nearly one in four households is now headed by a woman, double the pre-war proportion. Widows and women with detained or missing husbands face increased risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Better conditions could ease dangers

Aid agencies say improving humanitarian conditions, including higher quality shelters, upgraded sanitation, and better lighting, could greatly reduce the dangers women face in camps.

Long-term efforts to prevent abuse

Ongoing efforts focus on improving education and healthcare. Longer-term plans include campaigns to combat domestic violence and child marriage as Gaza rebuilds.