International 30 October 2026
At Least 25 Women and Girls Killed Daily in Armed Conflicts Worldwide, Reveals UN Report
Why in the News?
According to the UN Secretary-General’s 2026 report on **Women, Peace and Security (WPS)**, at least **25 women and girls were killed every day** in armed conflicts across the globe in 2025.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Surge in Civilian Casualties:
- Women and girls accounted for **one in four (25%) civilian deaths** in armed conflicts in 2025, doubling their proportion from 2021.
- Over 37,000 civilians were killed in conflict zones worldwide during the year 2025.
- Escalating Proximity to War:
- Approximately **750 million women and girls** now reside within 50 km of an active conflict—an increase of 40 million from 2024 and the highest figure recorded since 1990.
- Around 170 million women and girls in conflict zones live in extreme poverty (surviving on less than $3 a day).
- Sharp Rise in Gender-Based Violence:
- UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence nearly **quadrupled between 2022 and 2025**.
- In war-affected countries, women spend five times more hours on unpaid care work than men.
- Exclusion from Peace Negotiations:
- Women represented just **5% of peace negotiators** across 57 formal peace processes in 2025, down from 7% in 2024.
- Military Spending vs. Peace Funding:
- Global military expenditure reached a record **$2.9 trillion in 2025**, while 40% of crisis-response women’s organizations face shutdown due to severe funding cuts.
Static GK Facts:
- UN Women:
- Official Name: **United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women**.
- Established: **July 2010** | Headquarters: **New York City, USA**.
- Executive Director: **Sima Bahous**.
- UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325):
- Landmark resolution establishing the **Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda**, adopted on **October 31, 2000**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: According to the UN Women, Peace and Security 2026 report, what percentage of civilian deaths in armed conflicts during 2025 were women and girls?
A: 25% (1 in 4 civilian deaths)
Q: Who is the current Executive Director of UN Women?
A: Sima Bahous
Q: Which landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) established the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the year 2000?
A: Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325)
Q: Where is the global headquarters of UN Women situated?
A: New York City, United States
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