Assessing the Humanitarian and Socio-Economic Effects of the Middle East Conflict on Women and Girls

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:28:00 +0200

Six weeks into the 2026 escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that the effects on 161 million women and girls living in affected areas remain largely unaddressed. The UNFPA's regional analysis highlights the systemic gender-blindness in current humanitarian responses, which often treat gender-based violence and maternal health as secondary concerns rather than urgent, life-saving priorities. The conflict is estimated to cost regional economies between $120–194 billion, potentially pushing four million additional people into poverty and causing the loss of 3.64 million jobs. Women, disproportionately represented in informal employment, face severe livelihood disruptions while also bearing increased unpaid care responsibilities. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten delays in critical humanitarian aid. Over 260 health facilities and 14 mobile medical units across Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen have already shut down, exacerbating food i