New Delhi

The State of Palestine Embassy in India on Thursday has highlighted the findings of a recent UN Women report titled "The Cost of War in Gaza on Women and Girls", calling it evidence of the severe humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian women amid the ongoing conflict.

In a statement, the Embassy said, "The Embassy of the State of Palestine draws attention to the recent report issued by UN Women entitled 'The Cost of War in Gaza on Women and Girls,' which sheds light on the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Gaza on Palestinian women."

Quoting the UN report, the Embassy noted that women and children have borne the brunt of the violence, stating, "More than 70 per cent of those killed are women and children, while nearly one million women and girls have been forcibly displaced--often multiple times and under unsafe conditions--many lacking adequate shelter and access to basic services."

The statement further raised alarm over collapsing healthcare services in Gaza. "Approximately 50,000 pregnant women remain in Gaza, with over 180 births taking place daily under increasingly dangerous and unsanitary conditions, often without adequate maternal care and amid the collapse of the healthcare system," it said.

Highlighting worsening food insecurity, the Embassy said, "Over 90 per cent of the population is facing acute food insecurity, with women and children among the most affected," adding that access to clean water and sanitation has been severely reduced.

The statement also drew attention to the psychological toll of the crisis, noting " widespread trauma and anxiety, with many forced to assume the role of sole caregivers following the loss or injury of family members."

It further cited a trend identified in the report, stating that, " many women and girls, including minors, have been compelled to resort to the use of contraceptive pills to delay or avoid menstruation due to severe shortages of personal hygiene supplies and essential care products."

Calling for urgent international action, the Embassy said the findings "reflect not only an immediate humanitarian catastrophe but also the risk of long-term societal consequences," urging that the "situation calls for urgent international attention and concrete measures to ensure the protection of civilians, particularly women, in accordance with international humanitarian law."

According to the official website of the UN, the report mentioned as the "advocacy brief" was drawn on recent analysis conducted by UN Women to highlight the experiences of women and girls in Gaza since October 2023.

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The report, using a temporal and gender-focused lens, highlighted patterns of direct attacks, examining when, where, and how violence had unfolded and the resulting impact on women and girls.

The website stated, "Together, the insights highlight the urgent need for targeted, gender-responsive action to protect civilians and address the compounding risks faced by women and girls in Gaza."