UN Warns: Gaza War to Claim 38,000 Women, Girls by 2025

Imagine the bustling streets of Republic Street in Valletta, now picture it empty, silent. That’s the grim reality the United Nations fears for Gaza by the end of 2025, with more than 38,000 women and girls lost to conflict. This stark warning, issued by the UN’s Population Division, paints a chilling future for the Palestinian territory.

The UN’s report, “World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision,” projects Gaza’s population to reach 2.15 million by 2025. However, it also warns that without significant changes, the ongoing conflict could claim the lives of 38,250 women and girls by then. This includes 24,750 deaths due to direct violence and 13,500 due to the conflict’s indirect effects, such as limited access to healthcare and nutrition.

Malta, with its long history of refuge and humanitarian aid, has a unique role to play. Our island nation has provided safe haven to countless refugees over the centuries. Today, Malta can advocate for peace and support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Locally, we can raise awareness and encourage our government to push for diplomatic solutions and increased aid.

Malta’s Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies, based in St. Julian’s, could also play a part. It could facilitate dialogue and training for peacekeepers, fostering a more peaceful future for Gaza and beyond.

As we approach 2025, let’s not forget the faces behind these stark numbers. Let’s push for peace, not just in words, but in action. Let’s ensure that in five years, the streets of Gaza are not silent, but filled with life, hope, and the laughter of children.

As Maltese activist and poet, Adrian Grima, once said, “Malta is a small island, but it has a big heart.” Let’s show the world that heart by standing up for peace in Gaza.