Amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, a silent yet devastating form of violence afflicts women: obstetric violence. This brief describes how pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women in Gaza are facing obstetric violence as a result of the hostilities. It is essential that we protect the gains of implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda by naming these ongoing violations in Gaza as violence and it should get the same attention as other forms of gender-based violence.
UN Member States have commitments under the WPS Agenda to protect women in times of war, including from obstetric violence, and must take urgent action for its full implementation. All actors must also work towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire.