Women in the occupied West Bank increasingly cut off from daily life, living in fear amid rising violence and restrictions
As prepared remarks by UN Women Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia Calltorp – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
[As prepared]
Settler violence, Israeli military operations and movement restrictions across the occupied West Bank have left many women living in fear and increasingly cut off from daily life.
As of 31 January 2026, more than 1,050 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli security forces since October 2023, 1,025 of whom are men and boys. More than 22,300 people have been detained – the majority of them men and boys.
Behind every one of these figures is a family in grief: a mother waiting for news of her son, a wife left without her partner, and children facing immense loss.
For women who are suddenly left heading households, they must find ways to earn an income, secure assistance, and protect their families under conditions that make even the most basic responsibilities extraordinarily difficult. They face heightened risks of poverty, exclusion, and violence.
Latest estimates suggest that 83,200 households in the occupied West Bank are headed by women – representing one in eight households. But this figure is likely an underestimate.
We found that women-headed households are more likely to be displaced – with 40 per cent of households headed by women not living in their original home, compared to 30 per cent of men-headed households.
We found that fear for one’s safety and security is everywhere. Three-quarters of Palestinians that we spoke to told us that they do not feel safe in their daily life. Half told us that the security of their children is of great concern. Fifty-seven per cent of women heading households told us that they were afraid of being arrested – and 76 per cent of men shared the same concern.
Half of women heading households told us that they are skipping meals to cope with food shortages. Two thirds said they are taking out loans to make ends meet – making any recovery much harder to reach.
Movement obstacles – including staffed checkpoints, road barriers, and trenches – are another major driver of daily hardship in the occupied West Bank. There are now an estimated 925 such obstacles – the highest number recorded in two decades.
Every woman heading a household whom we interviewed said she avoids checkpoints altogether, while nine in ten said they make them feel unsafe.
The consequences are severe. Women responsible for feeding their families, securing assistance, and meeting basic needs are being prevented from moving freely to reach food, aid, essential services, and employment. This is restricting their mobility, and undermining their safety, well-being, and ability to keep their families afloat.
Palestinian people – especially women and girls – need this suffering and violence to end. UN Women calls for immediate action to end the violence, movement restrictions, and home demolition in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem – and to protect women and girls, and all civilians, in line with international law.
UN Women calls for dedicated support for women-headed households – support that is disability-inclusive, and combines livelihoods, social protection, health, shelter, and protection services.
UN Women is on the ground in Palestine. We work with women-led organizations across the West Bank providing psychosocial support, protection services, legal assistance, and access to aid.
Despite the immense suffering imposed on them, Palestinian women continue to show extraordinary strength, leadership, and determination. We call on the international community to stand with them in strength and in leadership to protect civilians, respect international law, ensure freedom of movement for people to go about their daily lives, and ensure accountability for the violence.
