Women-led West Bank households face heightened risk of displacement and illness
UN agencies report that West Bank families headed by women are more vulnerable to forced moves and chronic disease than those led by men.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the surge in Israeli settler attacks has made displacement more likely for West Bank families where women are the primary heads. The agency estimates that around 83,000 households—about one in eight—fall into this category. Interviews reveal that nearly nine out of ten women leaders feel unsafe at checkpoints, and over half say movement limits hinder their livelihoods.
Data from a UN Women survey of formally recognised female heads indicate that 82% handle household income, 77% oversee childcare, 75% make safety decisions, and 65% manage aid registration alone. Additionally, these households report a greater prevalence of chronic illnesses among members compared with male-headed families.
Why it matters
The findings highlight growing gender-based vulnerability in the occupied West Bank, affecting stability and health outcomes.
In this story
