In Gaza, women-headed households face ‘impossible choices’ to survive
Nearly one in four Gaza households is now headed by a woman, UN Women reports, as ongoing violence and restricted access deepen survival crises for female-led families.
In Gaza, UN humanitarians warn that women heading households face ‘impossible choices’ daily due to persistent Israeli airstrikes and severe resource shortages. According to UN Women, 86,290 families—nearly 25% of Gaza’s households—are now led by women, double the pre-October 2023 figure following mass Palestinian casualties. Access to food, water, hygiene supplies and essential services remains critically limited, compounded by restricted humanitarian access and ongoing bombardment.
UN Women reports that women-headed households are disproportionately affected, with higher rates of displacement, destroyed homes, and lack of shelter, food and money compared to male-headed households. The agency highlights cases such as 18-year-old Raghad Ashour, killed en route to her school exam, and 31-year-old Dina Almadhoun, both victims of Israeli strikes in Gaza City.
Since the ceasefire agreement, Gazan health authorities report 1,303 fatalities and 4,336 injuries, with 246 Palestinian women and girls killed by Israeli operations. UN Women notes that six women and girls are killed weekly on average, underscoring the persistent violence despite the truce.
Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million people remain displaced, confined to less than 40% of the Strip due to Israeli access restrictions. OCHA reports that 58% face critical or catastrophic shelter needs, with severe restrictions expanding beyond the ‘Yellow’ and ‘Orange’ lines, leaving two-thirds of Gaza inaccessible or highly restricted.