Gender-based violence (GBV) is increasingly woven into the fabric of all humanitarian emergencies worldwide. Conflict, climate-related crises and internal displacement all contribute to growing levels of GBV. These crises exacerbate existing gender inequalities and disproportionately increase women’s and girls’ risk of death, violence, hunger, sexual violence, forced and child marriage, trafficking and SEA.
Natural disasters and climate-related crises, such as prolonged drought and the ensuing food insecurity, force women and girls to make longer and more frequent journeys to obtain food or water. This exposes them to higher risks of GBV and results in them eating less, with particularly dire consequences for pregnant women, who require higher levels of nutrition. In Somalia, the GBV Information Management System recorded a sharp increase in reported incidents of intimate-partner violence and rape between January and May 2022, which correlated with a period of drought and famine in the country. Countries impacted by drought, such as those in the Horn of Africa, have experienced a rise in child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Zémio, CAR
An awareness-raising session about gender-based violence at the IDP site "C". Most of the site’s residents are Fulani who fled violence in other parts of the country.
OCHA/Anita CadonauIn conflict settings, sexual violence remains rampant. Conflict-related sexual violence is reported across Ethiopia’s northern region, with limited access to life-saving comprehensive humanitarian services. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the deterioration of the security context has sharply increased the risk of multiple forms of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, SEA and human trafficking. The emergencies in Haiti and Venezuela also highlight an increase of sexual violence by non-State actors against women and girls.
Responding to GBV in emergencies
Humanitarian emergencies do not just exacerbate GBV levels – they also contribute to existing gender inequalities, such as women’s and girls’ limited access to decision-making processes, education and work, and the increased gaps in sexual and reproductive health services. But these settings also showcase women’s strengths and leadership, acting as first responders in crises, and playing a central role in the survival and resilience of families and communities.
Emergency response must prioritize gender considerations in order for the humanitarian system to address GBV and support the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls in emergencies. The shortfall in funding for gender-equality programming and GBV programming – the latter receiving a mere 12 per cent of its total funding requirements in 2022 – remains a serious challenge.
Gender-based violence (GBV) requirements
Gender-based violence (GBV) funding gaps
Ukraine: the role of human rights monitoring in humanitarian action
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has maintained an uninterrupted presence in the country since 2014. It plays an important role within the HCT through monitoring and reporting protection issues, and mainstreaming a human rights-based approach to the HCT’s preparedness and response.
Since 2014, HRMMU’s work on casualty monitoring has been central to the humanitarian response: It contributes to the analysis of trends and risks that inform needs overviews. HRMMU also closely follows conflict-related arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, and sexual violence, reporting on them regularly and helping to shape relevant protection responses. This monitoring and reporting, together with a protection presence, helps to deter further violations and ensure future accountability.
HRMMU ensures that the voices of affected people – including vulnerable categories, such as people with disabilities, Roma people and older people – are heard. Particular attention is also given to women and girls, who are at risk of trafficking in a context of mass displacement, a deteriorating economic situation and broken social ties.
Protection Crisis in North-East Nigeria – Amina’s Story
Aisha’s daughter Amina, age 7, has been sexually abused three times. She is one of the millions of girls trapped in a brewing protection crisis in north-east Nigeria.
References
- UNICEF, Drought forcing more girls into child marriage in the Horn of Africa/UNFPA, Crisis in the Horn of Africa, June 2022.
- Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2022/272), 29 March 2022.
- UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), HRMMU Update on the human rights situation in Ukraine, 24 February – 26 March 2022.
- UNOHCHR, Venezuela: new UN report details responsibilities for crimes against humanity to repress dissent and highlights situation in remotes mining areas, accessed 17 November 2022.
- UNOHCHR, Sexual violence in Port-au-Prince: A weapon used by gangs to instil fear, October 2022.
- World Economic Forum, Why We Need More Female Voices While Addressing Humanitarian Crises, 25 May 2022.
- Based on FTS data, as of 12 November 2022. Funding represents total funding to the Protection Sector - GBV area of responsibility.