According to reports from the UN Population Fund, violence against women and girls in Gaza has escalated significantly in recent months. Data analyzed by ten organizations indicates that ongoing conflict has created an environment where females face mounting risks of gender-based violence. Researchers documented testimony from 230 women residing in displacement camps in Gaza City and Khan Younis, revealing accounts of violence both experienced and witnessed.
The most alarming trend concerns early and forced marriages. Reported cases increased by 123% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of this year. According to the UNFPA, these arrangements involve girls aged 12 to 17. The practice has become substantially more common since the conflict began in 2023, with families reporting exchanges of young girls for basic necessities such as food. The organization characterizes both early marriage and forced marriage as forms of gender-based violence.
Experts attribute the surge to the breakdown of social structures caused by years of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been forced from their homes, with most residing in crowded tent camps or damaged buildings. Public services have largely ceased functioning. Many families view early marriage as a protective measure in this environment, particularly for orphaned girls or those living among strangers without privacy.
Health concerns accompany the trend, as adolescent pregnancies resulting from child marriage carry significant medical risks. Girls in their early teens face higher rates of miscarriage and underweight babies compared to adult women. Medical professionals note that young mothers often lack the physical development, nutrition, and knowledge required to support a healthy pregnancy and infant care. Prior to the conflict, early marriage was declining in Gaza, though it remained more prevalent there than in the occupied West Bank. Gazans law permits exceptions to the minimum marital age of 17 with parental consent and judicial authorization, with court officials able to approve marriages for those as young as 14 years and seven months.
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