Girls Not Brides Secretariat Statement: Call for a Humanitarian Ceasefire and Immediate Access to Humanitarian Aid for the People of Gaza

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this statement are those of the Girls Not Brides Secretariat only. They may not be representative of the views of our 1400 + civil society member organisations.

Girls, women, and children have been disproportionately affected by the situation in Gaza for decades, and particularly so now with the ongoing and intensifying conflict. As of 03 November, 2326 women and 3760 children have been killed in the Gaza strip, representing 67% of all casualties, while thousands more have been injured.[1] It is critical that there is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to prevent further casualties and ensure humanitarian aid reaches people in need, especially girls, women and children, wherever they are.

Humanitarian crises are not gender neutral. Women and children are disproportionately affected in situation of conflict and crisis. Around the globe, every day, at least 500 women and adolescent girls die from pregnancy and childbirth complications in emergencies. Adolescent girls in conflict areas are 90% more likely to be out of school compared to girls in conflict-free regions. About one in three women worldwide have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence, with higher rates in conflict- or crisis-affected countries. Women and girls account for more than half of the world’s internally displaced people, and in many cases at much higher rates than men.[2]

We acknowledge that historically we have not always spoken out in the face of such crises, but it is essential that we do so now. As well as the current crisis in Gaza, there are many other ongoing and escalating conflicts globally, which directly and disproportionally impact the rights and lives of girls and women. In 2022, 274 million people needed humanitarian assistance and protection, 39 million more people than the previous year, which was, at the time, the highest figure in decades.[3] We call upon all parties involved to prioritise the safety, well-being, and human rights of people, through prevention, protection, and lasting peace, as well as relief and recovery.