Gaza Herald – The Palestinian Ministry of Labor revealed that over 57,000 women in the Gaza Strip have become the primary providers for their families amid harsh living conditions. This follows the prolonged effects of Israel’s ongoing siege and the devastating two-year genocide, which left much of the region’s infrastructure destroyed and humanitarian aid restricted.
The report, released on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8), highlighted the unprecedented economic collapse in Gaza, where the economy shrank by 83% in 2024, and unemployment soared above 80%. These figures underscore the double burden women now face, shouldering both household and financial responsibilities under extreme hardship.
In the West Bank, the ministry reported 150,100 employed women in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 144,800 in the previous quarter, showing modest gains despite persistent economic uncertainty. However, structural challenges remain: 41.5% of workers are employed without formal contracts, over 30% work under verbal agreements, and only 47.2% of women receive paid maternity leave.
Gender pay gaps persist, with women earning an average daily wage of 118.1 shekels versus 141.2 for men, while unemployment in refugee camps remains high at 38.7%.
These statistics reflect the pressing need for targeted national and international support to strengthen family resilience, empower women economically, and address systemic inequalities in both Gaza and the West Bank.
