Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens 11.7 Million Women and Girls With Hunger

GENEVA — Disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is driving up food prices and straining household resources across Africa, according to a new UN Women analysis. The report warns that 11.7 million more women and girls could face food insecurity by the end of 2026. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway in the Middle East. Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passes through it. When traffic there is disrupted, energy prices rise, and food prices follow. Women and girls often eat last and least when food runs short, the analysis says. They also carry most household duties, leaving them less able to earn income as costs climb.