Women, girls pay heavy price as conflict escalates in Lebanon: UNFPA

2026-03-07 - 17:33

The lives of women and girls in Lebanon have been dramatically disrupted as violence escalates once again across the country. A recent wave of intensive airstrikes targeting Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley has forced 83,800 people from their homes since 2 March, including 970 pregnant women, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The newly displaced add to the 65,000 people who remain internally displaced from the 2024 conflict, which caused widespread death and injury, triggered mass displacement, and severely damaged civilian infrastructure. Displacement significantly increases the health and protection risks faced by vulnerable groups. Pregnant women, adolescent girls, and people living with disabilities are particularly exposed to these dangers. “The needs of women and girls do not pause during conflict: women still give birth, even under fire, and they face heightened risks of gender-based violence,” said Anandita Philipose. “We call for urgent action to safeguard women and girls’ health and protection in this crisis and to meet their critical needs.” Disruptions to reproductive health services increase the risk of unintended pregnancies, while pregnant women fleeing violence often face life-threatening conditions during childbirth. Many families fled their homes with little warning, spending hours trapped on heavily congested roads. In at least one reported case, a woman was forced to give birth on the street while fleeing her home. Public schools have been rapidly converted into emergency shelters, but many are already overcrowded and lack adequate sanitation, lighting, and privacy. The absence of gender-segregated sanitation facilities further heightens the risk of violence against women and girls and severely limits their mobility. The renewed hostilities are placing enormous strain on Lebanon’s already fragile health and protection systems. Half of the facilities supported by UNFPA in conflict-affected areas have been forced to close, while many of those still operating are understaffed as health workers themselves have fled the violence. In response to the growing needs, UNFPA is scaling up its maternal health and protection services. The agency is supporting safe deliveries, including emergency obstetric care, in primary healthcare centres and is working with government partners to deploy mobile medical units in and around Beirut and Mount Lebanon to assist displaced and host communities. UNFPA is also providing gender-based violence services for women and girls, including the clinical management of rape and psychosocial support. Distributions of 17,000 dignity kits are currently underway, while additional reproductive health supplies and equipment are being procured. However, the agency warns that its response is severely constrained by funding shortages. Of UNFPA’s $30 million appeal for 2026, only 16 per cent has been funded so far. UNFPA joined the international community in calling for diplomacy to prevail and for the urgent protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical personnel, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Health workers, including midwives, must be able to safely reach those in need and carry out their life-saving work without fear of attack.