UN says West Bank women face heightened risks amid violence, restrictions - Anadolu Ajansı

Women and girls in the occupied West Bank face heightened risks of violence, displacement, and movement restrictions, according to a new analysis by UN Women released Tuesday.

The analysis found that about 83,200 households in the West Bank are headed by women, while 40% of women-headed households reported being displaced from their original homes, compared with 30% of male-headed households.

Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action, said women who suddenly become responsible for their households face difficulties securing income, humanitarian assistance, and basic needs.

“Women who suddenly find themselves heading households must earn an income, secure assistance and protect their families under extremely difficult conditions,” Calltorp said.

The analysis found that 57% of women heading households said they feared being arrested, compared with 76% of men who expressed the same concern.

Movement restrictions were also a major concern.

UN Women said there are 925 movement obstacles across the West Bank, including checkpoints, road barriers, and trenches, the highest level recorded in two decades.

Every woman heading a household interviewed for the analysis said she avoided checkpoints, while nearly nine in 10 said checkpoints made them feel unsafe.

The restrictions affect women’s ability to reach food, humanitarian assistance, essential services, and employment, according to the analysis.

UN Women also found that one in five women heading households reported fearing gender-based violence. One in four women-headed households said they received no humanitarian assistance.

More than half of women-headed households with a member suffering from a chronic illness reported unmet cash needs, while two-thirds said they had taken loans and half reported skipping meals.

The analysis was based on a survey of about 800 households across all 11 West Bank governorates done in November and December 2025.

UN Women called for an end to violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as measures to support women-headed households.

Israeli forces carry out frequent raids on cities, towns and refugee camps across the occupied West Bank, often involving home searches, arrests and gunfire, amid escalating tensions since Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip began in October 2023.