DaysofPal- The Ministry of Social Development has confirmed that more than 28,000 widows in the Gaza Strip are experiencing one of the harshest humanitarian crises in modern history, as the ongoing Israeli genocidal war has sharply increased the number of women forced to support their families under extremely difficult conditions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry reported a significant rise in the number of widows, which has reached 28,224 during the current war, compared to 22,596 before its outbreak.
According to ministry data, Gaza Governorate accounts for the largest share at 40.8 percent, followed by North Gaza at 22.5 percent. Together, these two areas require more than 70 percent of urgent interventions aimed at supporting families of those killed.
Official statistics also show that 64 percent of widows, approximately 16,877 women, are of working age (18–45), highlighting the urgent need for economic empowerment programs.
Elderly widows aged 60 and above make up 14.9 percent, while minors under the age of 18 represent 0.4 percent, according to the ministry.
The ministry called on national and international organizations to provide regular financial support, expand psychological, legal, and healthcare services, support continued education, and establish safe shelters for caregivers.
It also urged the international community and United Nations institutions to strengthen protection programs to prevent widows in Gaza from falling into complete collapse, ensure a dignified life, safeguard their rights and those of their children, and mitigate the catastrophic effects of the ongoing war.
In May, the Palestinian Center for Policy Studies stated in a research paper that the war in Gaza has led to an unprecedented expansion in the number of female-headed households, with the number of widows exceeding 22,000.
The center emphasized that addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that integrates women into economic production and reconstruction efforts, recognizing them as key contributors to social and economic recovery rather than merely recipients of aid.
June 23 of each year marks International Widows’ Day, officially recognized by the United Nations to highlight the economic and social challenges faced by widows worldwide, including poverty, denial of inheritance rights, and lack of social protection.
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