Over Half of Lebanon Displaced Are Women and Girls, UN Warns
More than half of the 620,000 people displaced by Lebanon’s latest conflict escalation are women and girls, according to a statement from UN Women, the United Nations agency dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
UN Women Representative in Lebanon, Gielan El Messiri, said the crisis has disproportionately affected women and girls, who now account for more than half of the displaced population. She noted that the figure represents nearly a quarter of all women and girls in Lebanon, cutting across Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and migrant communities.
El Messiri explained that the escalation has deepened pre-existing inequalities, including limited access to income, weak legal protections and inadequate social services, further exposing women to heightened risks. According to her, about 85 per cent of displaced women and girls are living outside formal shelters, often in overcrowded apartments and informal settlements, particularly in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
“These conditions are not only difficult but dangerous, increasing exposure to exploitation, abuse and gender-based violence,” she said, adding that disruption of protection and justice systems has made it harder for victims to report violations or seek help.
El Messiri also highlighted the dire coping mechanisms adopted by affected women, including skipping meals to feed their children, while elderly women face life-threatening risks due to lack of medication for chronic illnesses. She further disclosed that shortages of hygiene supplies and limited access to healthcare have forced some pregnant women to give birth in unsafe conditions, even as mental health challenges continue to rise.
“Women describe constant fear, sleeplessness and exhaustion, while still caring for their children and communities,” she said.
Despite the challenges, El Messiri commended the resilience of women, noting that many are at the forefront of humanitarian response efforts, supporting displaced families and helping to maintain stability within affected communities.
She said UN Women is scaling up interventions across major displacement hubs, including protection services, cash-for-work initiatives and livelihood support programmes.
The agency also reiterated the call by the United Nations Secretary-General for immediate de-escalation, respect for international humanitarian law and urgent expansion of gender-responsive humanitarian assistance.