Gaza sees 123% rise in early marriages amid rising gender-based violence

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a warning regarding the sharp increase in gender-based violence in the Gaza Strip. According to data analyzed from ten humanitarian organizations, the prolonged conflict has eroded social structures and public services, leaving women and girls increasingly vulnerable to abuse, sexual exploitation, and forced marriages.

Reports indicate that in the second quarter of this year, cases of early and forced marriage—specifically involving girls aged 12 to 17—rose by 123% compared to the first quarter. Nestor Owomuhangi, the UNFPA representative in Palestine, described these trends as ‘shocking,’ noting that the destruction and repeated displacements caused by the war have dismantled existing social systems.

Testimonies from women in overcrowded displacement camps in Gaza City and Khan Younis highlight severe risks. In some instances, victims of sexual violence are reportedly forced into marriage with their abusers to avoid social stigma and shame. Additionally, extreme food insecurity has led to desperate measures, such as parents marrying off young daughters in exchange for basic necessities.