A girl looks at the destroyed houses of Gaza City. Palestine: Girls face increasing risks of violence and early marriage Humanitarian assistance
More than two years of ongoing violence, displacement and loss have left Palestinian children and youth in a “deep mental health crisis.” At the same time, girls face increased risks, including an increase in early marriages.
Sima Alami, an employee of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), told the UN News Service about this. According to her, more than one million children in Gaza need support in the field of mental health and psychosocial assistance.
Emergency
The problem has reached enormous proportions: According to UNFPA, 96 percent of children in Gaza feel that death can come at any moment. “This reflects the depth of fear and trauma that they experience on a daily basis,” Alami stressed.
Among adolescents and young adults, the psychological consequences are also extremely serious: about 61 percent suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, 38 percent from depression, and 41 percent from anxiety. In addition, one in five adults contemplate suicide almost daily. “This is not just psychological stress,” Alami noted. “This is a mental health emergency.”
Girls at particular risk
The girls found themselves in the most difficult situation. In Gaza, there has been a sharp increase in the number of child marriages. The rate previously decreased, from 25.5 percent in 2009 to 11 percent in 2022. However, the trend has now changed.
According to a UNFPA study, 71 percent of respondents in Gaza reported that they were considering marrying off their daughters under 18. In a short period, more than 400 marriage licenses were issued for girls aged 14 to 16, but the actual scale of the problem may be higher.
“Some families see marriage as a survival strategy in the face of displacement, poverty and insecurity,” Alami explained. Many believe it can provide protection in overcrowded shelters or ease the economic burden on the family.
Health and safety risks
The consequences of this practice are serious. UNFPA stresses that child marriage is a form of gender-based violence. In 2025, about 10 percent of registered pregnancies in Gaza were adolescents, a significant increase from pre-war levels. At the same time, access to health care has declined sharply, with only 15 percent of health facilities capable of providing emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
Early marriage also increases the risk of violence.
“Evidence suggests that 63 percent of girls married at an early age have experienced physical, psychological or sexual violence,” Alami noted.
In the most severe cases, the consequences can be fatal: more than 100 cases of suicide or attempted suicide have been recorded among survivors of such violence. An increase in divorce rates and widespread severe psychological distress among married minors have been reported.
The situation in the West Bank
While Gaza remains the epicenter of the crisis, the situation is also deteriorating in the West Bank.
Increasing violence, military operations and settler attacks lead to population displacement, especially in refugee camps. Restrictions on movement and the closure of checkpoints are disrupting daily life, and many schools are being forced to close.
“Children and young people live under constant stress,” Alami said. “They face fear of raids, restrictions on movement and uncertainty about livelihoods and access to services.”
This creates chronic anxiety and a persistent sense of insecurity, which can have long-term consequences. Some young people are considering leaving Palestine.
Support and “safe spaces”
UNFPA is expanding support programs. Over the past three years, the agency has rehabilitated and supported more than 35 special centers for women and girls, which provide comprehensive assistance, including protection from gender-based violence.
More than 120,000 hygiene kits and essential items have been distributed, and more than 15 youth centers operate throughout Palestine, of which 11 are aimed at girls.
“These spaces provide psychosocial support, education and life skills development, and promote community engagement,” Alami said.
Programs include group classes, psychological first aid, individual consultations, and a digital helpline that provides free remote assistance. At the same time, young people not only receive help, but also actively participate in the development and implementation of initiatives.
However, the situation remains extremely difficult. Forced displacement, lack of resources and difficult conditions, especially in Gaza, where relief is often provided in tents, are complicating the work of humanitarian services.
“Many families are forced to prioritize survival over mental health concerns,” Alami said, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach that combines psychosocial support with food, medical and educational assistance.