With the increase in wars and conflicts in the world, the threat to the lives of women and girls is also increasing rapidly. The situation is such that one out of every four civilians killed in war is a woman or girl. Not only this, women living in war-affected areas are also facing problems like sexual violence, poverty and homelessness. Despite this, their participation in the peace talks is continuously decreasing. Figures from a new United Nations report show how women are paying the price of war.

The UN Secretary-General’s 2026 report on ‘Women, Peace and Security’ was released on 26 October. According to this, more than 37,000 civilians will be killed in war and conflict in 2025. At least 25 women and girls lost their lives every day during this period. At the same time, the number of women living near war-affected areas has become the highest since the 1990s. The report also raised concerns over rising military spending, sexual violence and low participation of women in peace talks.

From the death of women in war to the impact on daily life.

1. Double the death toll: In 2025, one in four civilians killed in war was a woman or girl. This figure is double compared to 2021.
2. 75 crore women close to war Around 750 million women and girls in the world live within a 50 kilometer radius of an area where fighting is taking place. This number is 4 crore more than in 2024.
3. Cases of sexual violence quadrupled: According to a UN investigation, cases of war-related sexual violence found to be true will almost quadruple between 2022 and 2025.
4. Double whammy of poverty: About 17 crore women and girls live in war-affected areas, where they have to live on less than 3 dollars, or about 285 rupees, a day.
5. Unpaid Workload: Women and girls in war-affected countries spend five times more time than men in unpaid domestic work and family care.

Seema Bahus, Executive Director of UN Women, said the number of women and girls caught up in war today is higher than in decades past. The report also raised concerns over the growing use of drones, long-range weapons and new military technologies powered by artificial intelligence. The use of this technology in densely populated areas is increasing the risk to the general public.

Women’s participation in peace talks is only 5%

Despite playing an important role in helping war-affected people and keeping communities safe, women are not getting enough space in peace negotiations. According to the report, in 2025, women’s participation in negotiations in the world’s 57 peace processes will be only 5 percent. In 2024, this figure was 7 percent.

On the other hand, the world’s military spending continues to rise. This record will reach 2.9 trillion dollars in 2025. In contrast, women’s organizations working in crisis areas are facing a lack of funding. According to the report, 40 percent of such organizations fear that they will have to close their operations temporarily or permanently in the next one year.

These organizations play an important role in providing shelter to war-affected women, helping women victims of sexual violence and resolving local disputes. Their services may be affected due to funding cuts.

What suggestions did the UN make?

The United Nations has called for increased protection of women and girls in war-affected areas, stricter enforcement of international law and continued funding for women-led peace efforts.

The report also calls on governments and international organizations to ensure the effective participation of women in decision-making related to peace and security. The United Nations believes that leaving women and girls out of the peacebuilding process at a time when the burden of war is increasing can worsen the problem.