Women in a temporary shelter in Gaza. Women among civilians killed in wars doubled in 2023 Women
The proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled last year compared to 2022, accounting for 40 percent of all war deaths. In addition, the number of UN-verified cases of sexual violence in war has increased by 50 percent, according to the Secretary-General’s new annual report on women, peace and security.
The rise in deaths and violence comes amid an increasingly flagrant disregard for international law designed to protect women and children, UN Women said.
Deadly Conflicts
In 2023, the UN recorded at least 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflict, a 72 percent increase from 2022. The proportion of women killed doubled and children tripled.
The majority of documented deaths – 70 percent – occurred in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. This conflict has become the deadliest for civilians in 2023.
“War on Women”
In war zones, women increasingly suffer due to limited access to health services, the report says. For example, every day 500 women and girls die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth in countries affected by conflict. By the end of 2023, 180 women were giving birth every day in Gaza, most of whom did not have access to basic necessities and health care.
“Women continue to pay the price for men’s wars,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bacchus. According to her, there is also a “war on women” around the world – a deliberate attack on their rights. And in countries affected by armed conflict, this situation is even more deadly.
There can be no peace without women
The report was published nearly 25 years after the UN Security Council adopted a landmark resolution on women, peace and security.
Resolution 1325 (2000) recognized the contribution of women to conflict prevention and resolution and called on warring parties to ensure the safety of women and girls and for women’s full participation in peace processes.
Yet, despite these commitments, in 2023, women accounted for less than 10 per cent of negotiators in more than 50 peace processes around the world. This is despite the fact that, according to research, peace agreements last longer and are more effectively implemented when women are involved.
A severe lack of funding
In Yemen, for example, women-led negotiations have led to safe access to clean water for civilians. In Sudan, 49 women’s groups are pushing for a more inclusive peace process. However, these efforts are largely unsupported or unrecognized in formal peace processes.
The report notes that a critical lack of funding is a key challenge. While global military spending reached a record $2.44 trillion in 2023, funding for women’s rights organizations and movements averages just 0.3 percent of total humanitarian aid each year.
Furthermore, investments in preventing and responding to gender-based violence account for less than one percent of all humanitarian spending.
Decisive Action
The report makes eight recommendations to strengthen the role of women in peace and security. These include setting an initial minimum target of women making up one-third of participants in mediation and peace processes, and eventually achieving parity with men.
The authors also conclude that women’s equal and meaningful participation in peace and security will only become a reality through determined political action and increased funding. This is essential to achieving sustainable peace.