Fact Check: "Women and children make up more than half of conflict-related deaths."
What We Know
The claim that "women and children make up more than half of conflict-related deaths" is supported by various studies and reports indicating significant mortality rates among these groups during armed conflicts. For instance, a study published in The Lancet highlights that women and children bear a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality due to armed conflicts, estimating that over 10 million deaths in children under five can be attributed to conflict between 1995 and 2015 globally (Bendavid et al.). Furthermore, the report notes that women of reproductive age living near high-intensity conflicts have a mortality risk three times higher than women in peaceful settings (Bendavid et al.).
Recent data from the UN indicates a concerning trend where, between 2023 and 2024, approximately 21,480 women and 16,690 children were killed in armed conflicts, with a significant proportion of these deaths occurring in conflict zones like Gaza (UN Press Release). This data suggests that women and children are disproportionately affected by conflict-related violence.
Analysis
While the evidence suggests that women and children are significantly impacted by armed conflict, the assertion that they constitute more than half of all conflict-related deaths requires careful scrutiny. The studies referenced provide compelling statistics about the mortality rates among these groups, but they do not explicitly state that women and children together account for over 50% of all conflict-related deaths.
For instance, the UNICEF data on conflict-related deaths does not provide a clear percentage breakdown by gender and age group, making it difficult to ascertain the exact proportion of deaths attributable to women and children (UNICEF). Additionally, the context of each conflict can vary significantly, affecting the demographics of casualties. In some conflicts, such as those in Gaza, the proportion of women and children killed may be notably high, but this may not be representative of all conflict situations globally (Oxfam, UN Women).
Moreover, the reliability of sources varies. The Lancet study is a peer-reviewed publication, lending it credibility, while reports from NGOs and press releases may carry biases depending on their organizational goals and perspectives. Therefore, while the data indicates a severe impact on women and children, the claim lacks a definitive statistical backing to confirm that they constitute more than half of all conflict-related deaths universally.
Conclusion
The claim that "women and children make up more than half of conflict-related deaths" is Partially True. There is substantial evidence indicating that women and children are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts, with significant mortality rates. However, the lack of comprehensive data explicitly confirming that they account for over 50% of all conflict-related deaths means that the claim cannot be fully substantiated. The context and variability of different conflicts further complicate the ability to generalize this statistic.
Sources
- The effects of armed conflict on the health of women and children (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7612212/)
- PDF The effects of armed conflict on the health of women and children (https://web.stanford.edu/~samhn/papers/Bendavid%20et%20al%202021%20-%20Lancet.pdf)
- How Armed Conflict Devastates Women's and Children's Health Globally (https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/voices/how-armed-conflict-devastates-womens-and-childrens-health-globally-cid-faculty)
- UN data shows surge in civilian deaths in conflict globally, highlights (https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/06/un-data-shows-surge-civilian-deaths-conflict-globally-highlights-pervasive)
- Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause (https://data.unicef.org/indicator-profiles/CME_CNFLCT/)
- Libero Mail - login (https://login.libero.it/)
- More women and children killed in Gaza by Israeli military (https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/more-women-and-children-killed-gaza-israeli-military-any-other-recent-conflict)
- War on women - Proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubles in (https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2024/10/war-on-women-women-killed-in-armed-conflicts-double-in-2023)
