Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Violent conflicts today are reported in every region of the world and often lasting for protracted periods of time.More than 45 armed conflicts are active in the Middle East and North Africa alone, over 35 in Africa, 21 in Asia, 7 in Europe, and 6 in Latin America [1].These conflicts leave indelible marks on societies, yet their effects are neither evenly distributed nor universally endured, with women, newborns, and children being among the most vulnerable.Amid rising global instability, the imperative to protect the most vulnerable has never been more urgent.The human toll of conflict is substantial.In 2023 alone, the United Nations recorded 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts-a staggering figure likely underestimated due to inaccessible conflict zones and collapsed reporting mechanisms [2].Among these, women accounted for four out of every ten fatalities, while children made up three out of ten [2].In Gaza, between November 2023 and April 2024, 70% of those killed in civilian homes were women and children, and the most affected age group were children aged 0-4 [3].In Ukraine, since February 2022, conflict-related violence had resulted in 30,457 civilian casualties, including 1,885 children [4].These figures reveal the devastating human cost of armed conflict and the particular vulnerabilities of women and children caught in the crossfire.Sexual and gender-based violence is compounded by these crises.Over 70% of women in conflict zones experience sexual violence-double the global average [5].Tactics such as rape, forced pregnancy, and sexual slavery are used as weapons of war, with lasting repercussions for survivors and their communities.In Sudan, recent reports show that between April and December 2023 at least 118 cases of sexual violence were documented, including those involving children, further emphasizing the pervasive brutality [6].In addition, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, often cannot access post-rape care within the critical 72-hour window, exacerbating their physical and emotional trauma and health risks. Health systems and services in collapseConflict exacerbates vulnerabilities for women, newborns, and children, both during active hostilities and in the prolonged recovery periods that follow, leaving millions without access to essential care.Pediatric and neonatal care are particularly vulnerable, as conflict erodes the capacity to manage infections, prematurity, and birth complications.Damaged infrastructure, displaced health workers, and supply chain disruptions limit access to life-saving services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care.Beyond this, women are being forced to carry pregnancies to term due to limited access to contraceptives, family planning and safe abortion care [7].As a result, the 25 countries identified in the 2024 UN Humanitarian Appeal account for 58% of global maternal deaths, 38% of newborn deaths, and 36% of stillbirths [8].
Source: PLOS Global Public Health
Institution: World Health Organization
Language: English
Topic: Health and Conflict Studies
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,496
Funder: World Health Organization
OpenAlex ID: W4406164808