Asylum and Migration
UN sees 'serious increase' in forced marriages in Gaza, children also victims
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warns of a sharp rise in gender-based violence against women and girls in the Gaza Strip, with reported cases of forced child marriages increasing by 123 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous one. Data from ten aid organizations indicates that nearly half of interviewed women and girls reported forced marriages, often driven by financial pressure during the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Nestor Owomuhangi, the Palestinian representative for UNFPA, attributes this trend to the collapse of social structures following three years of war, which has left over 90 percent of buildings destroyed and displaced the entire population. Reports highlight widespread sexual harassment and impunity, as victims are frequently coerced into marrying their attackers to avoid stigma while food insecurity remains critical.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's