War is becoming more deadly for women and girls, a UN report says. In 2025, fighting killed more than 37,000 people outside the armed forces. Women and girls made up one quarter of these deaths. Their share was twice as high as in 2021, and at least 25 die each day in places with fighting.
About 750 million women and girls now live within 50 kilometres of fighting. This is 40 million more than in 2024. The number is the highest since 1990. The UN also checked and confirmed 9,788 cases of sexual violence linked to war in 2025, more than twice the number in 2024.
Women have little say in peace talks. In 2025, only five in every 100 people trying to agree on peace were women. This figure covered 57 peace efforts. Meanwhile, countries spent a record $2.9 trillion on their armed forces.
Many groups working for women in places facing serious trouble lack money. Four in ten expect to close for some time or for good within a year. UN Women wants better protection for women and girls and a real role for them in peace talks. It also wants steady money for women’s peace work and punishment for people responsible for crimes.
