UNFPA’s latest research shows a steep rise in violence against women in the Gaza Strip. The conflict’s damage to infrastructure and community bonds has created conditions where women and girls are increasingly at risk of gender‑based violence, the agency warned.
Data from 10 organisations reveals a 123% jump in reported cases of early or forced marriage during the second quarter of 2026, with girls aged 12–17 appearing most vulnerable. The agency’s analysis points to the erosion of legal safeguards as courts were closed for large parts of the war, allowing marriages as young as 14 years and seven months old to be sanctioned.
"When a rape is discovered, often the community arranges a wedding for that victim and the attacker, so the shame is avoided," a woman from a Gaza City camp told reporters, describing how rape victims are forced into marriage. Another survivor recounted how a 14‑year‑old bride was married in exchange for flour packets to feed her family during famine.
The reports show that 2.7% of the total gender‑based violence incidents in Gaza from April to June 2026 were sexual violence, a 61% increase from the previous quarter. Survivors were mainly women aged 18–59, though adolescent girls and adult men were also affected.
Humanitarian agencies highlight that improving shelter, sanitation, and lighting in camps could reduce risks for women and girls. Calls for the delivery of higher‑quality temporary housing and upgraded toilets have been raised as urgent needs to protect the most vulnerable as the war continues.”
