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The Day · Sunday 7 December 2025

Filed 23:33 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · Gaza

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UN: Over 57,000 Female-Headed Households in Gaza Endure Extreme Hardship

According to the UN, more than 57,000 households led by women in Gaza are enduring extremely difficult conditions. The severity of the situation highlights the staggering impact on female-headed families as the humanitarian toll intensifies.

GAZA CITY, GAZA – JULY 10: Palestinian families struggle to live under harsh conditions who take shelter at the Majida School in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City amid Israeli attacks in Gaza on July 10, 2025. ( Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini – Anadolu Agency )

The United Nations has reported that over 57,000 households in Gaza now headed by women are facing extreme hardship. This announcement underscores the growing humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of families in the besieged enclave.

According to the report, the number of female-headed households in Gaza has reached over 57,000, with each of them bearing the weight of deteriorating living conditions. These families, led by women, struggle to survive amid intensifying hardship and a constant lack of security.

The situation, as reported by the UN, sheds light on the layers of difficulty endured by women in Gaza, where conditions continue to worsen under sustained pressure. Increases in female-headed households reflect the sharp social and economic deterioration, complicating the ability of these women to provide basic necessities for their families.

While no further details were provided in the report, the statement highlights the extent of suffering faced by a significant portion of the population. The report pointed out that these households now stand among the most vulnerable, with extreme hardship affecting their livelihoods, access to essential resources, and chances of survival.

Gaza, already facing severe circumstances, has seen a rise in the number of households solely dependent on women. The absence of other figures in the announcement emphasizes the stark reality conveyed by the sole focus on the 57,000 affected families. With limited options, these households face intensified difficulties on multiple fronts.

Meanwhile, the report’s findings draw renewed attention to the plight of women in Gaza, whose shoulders now carry the primary responsibility for household survival amid scarcity and uncertainty. The mention of extreme hardship without elaboration further reflects the gravity of the situation they face.

From its side, the UN’s use of the term ‘extreme hardship’ signifies a severe level of distress and adversity, adding weight to an already dire context in which women play an increasingly central role in sustaining their communities.

In addition to the staggering figure itself, the UN’s acknowledgment serves as a stark indicator of the growing burden placed on women in Gaza. The endurance of over 57,000 female-headed households amid worsening realities remains a critical concern.

This development, reported without deeper context or additional figures, lays bare a critical layer of suffering that continues to unfold in Gaza. For these families, led by women in increasingly inhospitable conditions, the future remains uncertain.

7 Dec, 23:33

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