Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

UN Warns West Bank Women Face Rising Risks, Restrictions


(MENAFN) Women and girls across the occupied West Bank are confronting growing threats linked to violence, displacement and restrictions on movement, according to a new analysis released by UN Women on Tuesday.

The assessment found that approximately 83,200 households in the West Bank are led by women. Among those households, 40% of respondents said they had been forced to leave their original homes, compared with 30% of households headed by men.

Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action, said women who unexpectedly become responsible for their households face significant challenges in earning an income, accessing humanitarian support and meeting their families' essential 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 also showed differences in concerns over arrest. Around 57% of women heading households said they were worried about being arrested, compared with 76% of men who reported the same fear.

Restrictions on movement were identified as another major source of concern. UN Women said the West Bank currently has 925 obstacles to movement, including checkpoints, roadblocks and trenches, representing the highest recorded level in two decades.

All women heading households who participated in the analysis said they avoided checkpoints, while nearly 90% reported that the checkpoints made them feel unsafe.

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