Recent changes in warfare have disproportionately targeted civilian populations, making women more vulnerable to gender-based attacks, predominantly of a sexual nature. Displacement increases the risk; refugee women often lack adequate protection and access to humanitarian relief. The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children recognizes that issues of gender underlie virtually all forms of violence against women. This type of aggression also affects victims’ communities and societies, tearing apart families and perpetuating the mindset that encourages such violence.
Resources and more
Info on gender-based violence:
Learn more about the Women’s Commission’s reproductive health (RH) and protection programs and what we’re doing to help end gender-based violence.
Read our reports and initiatives to end violence against women and girls, including:
If Not Now, When? Addressing Gender-based Violence in Refugee, Internally Displaced and Post-Conflict Settings (the first-ever report published on the issue)
Violence Against Women and Girls in the Iraq Crisis (6-minute video)
Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls report and synopsis
Displaced Women and Girls At Risk: Risk Factors, Protection, Solutions and Resource Tools report and synopsis
Masculinities: Male Roles and Male Involvement in the Promotion of Gender Equality report and 6-page brief
For a full list of our reproductive health reports, click here.
Become certified in the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) Module. The MISP provides a coordinated set of priority activities designed to: Prevent and manage the consequences of sexual violence; reduce HIV transmission; prevent excess maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity; and plan for comprehensive RH services in the early days and weeks of an emergency. The MISP distance learning module aims to increase humanitarian actors' knowledge of these priority RH services to initiate at the onset of a crisis situation.
The Reproductive Health Response in Conflict (RHRC) Consortium works with the
Women’s Commission on several reproductive health issues, including gender-based
violence. Visit the RHRC site for RH statistics, key messages
and more resources.