Geneva: A recent press briefing by UN Women has shed light on the increasingly dire situation for women and girls in Lebanon amidst the ongoing conflict. Gielan El Messiri, UN Women Representative in Lebanon, delivered a detailed account at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, highlighting the severe impact of the crisis on women and girls in the region.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, El Messiri emphasized that since March 2, approximately 620,000 women and girls have been displaced, representing nearly a quarter of the female population in Lebanon. This figure includes Lebanese nationals as well as Syrian, Palestinian, and migrant communities. The escalation has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities faced by women, such as limited access to income and inadequate legal protections.
El Messiri described how the vulnerabilities of women are being intensified by displacement, loss of livelihoods, and weakened support systems. Many are forced to make devastating choices, such as fleeing their homes at night without a clear destination and leaving behind their sense of safety. Alarmingly, 85% of displaced women and girls are living outside formal shelters, which increases their risk of exploitation, abuse, and gender-based violence.
The disruption of essential protection and justice services has made reporting violations and seeking protection increasingly difficult for women. Many women are enduring severe hardships, skipping meals so their children can eat, and going without essential medications. The lack of hygiene supplies and limited access to care for pregnant women further compound the crisis.
Mental health is also a significant concern, with rising levels of fear, sleeplessness, and exhaustion among women who are also trying to comfort frightened children. Despite these challenges, women in Lebanon remain at the forefront of the crisis response, caring for displaced families and organizing support.
UN Women is actively working to address these issues by scaling up lifesaving protection, offering cash-for-work programs, and supporting livelihood opportunities for women and girls. The organization is also strengthening coordination to ensure the response is gender-responsive and emphasizing the importance of women's involvement in decision-making.
El Messiri reiterated the call for immediate de-escalation, adherence to international humanitarian law, and an urgent increase in gender-responsive humanitarian assistance to adequately address the needs of women and girls affected by the crisis.