As the world celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women each year on November 25, international reports show that ongoing wars and armed conflicts remain among the primary factors fueling violence against women and aggravating its humanitarian impact. According to UN data, the world is witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946, placing millions of women under unprecedented levels of threat.
Figures issued by the United Nations indicate that around 676 million women now live within 50 kilometers of active, deadly conflict zones—marking the highest level since the 1990s. Civilian casualties among women and children have quadrupled over the past two years, while incidents of violence against women have increased by 87 percent.
Years of Violence, Detention, and Displacement
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports that 22,123 women were killed by the deposed regime, while the fate of more than 8,500 women remains unknown. Testimonies from female survivors indicate that regime forces used the detention of women as leverage against family members who opposed its actions, subjecting detainees to severe torture. Some accounts describe infants being taken from their mothers and placed in orphanages, leaving permanent psychological scars.
Over the years of the crisis, hundreds of thousands of Syrian women were displaced to camps under harsh humanitarian conditions. Many were forced to assume full responsibility for their families following the loss of primary providers. Despite this, Syrian women contributed significantly to national resilience and played a notable role in the country’s liberation on December 8, 2024, continuing today to participate actively across social, economic, and political fields.
Areas Hit Hardest by Violence Against Women Escalates Humanitarian Cost
In the occupied Palestinian territories, UN Women reports that Gaza has become the deadliest place in the world for women, with more than 33,000 women killed since October 2023—many of them in their homes, shelters, or while searching for food to provide for their dependents.
In Sudan, women comprise the majority of the millions displaced by the ongoing conflict, facing heightened risks linked to instability, forced movement, and the collapse of basic services.
Long-Term Humanitarian and Social Impacts
Experts warn that the consequences of war extend far beyond immediate violence. Studies show a rise in maternal mortality rates in post-conflict environments, coupled with acute economic hardship and the erosion of social support networks. These conditions exacerbate the challenges facing women long after hostilities subside.
Calls for Action
With global conflict zones expanding, international organizations stress the need to strengthen enforcement of protective legislation and to enhance accountability for perpetrators of violence. The United Nations’ “UNITE to End Violence Against Women” campaign—running until December 10—focuses this year on combating digital violence and ending impunity.
Behind every statistic stands a woman carrying a story of survival, loss, or resilience. As wars redraw borders and uproot communities, women remain on the front lines of humanitarian hardship. The path toward justice and protection remains long, but their steadfast endurance continues to anchor hopes for a more humane future.
