Millions of Women and Girls Forced to Flee Face High Risk of Gender-Based Violence: UNHCR
29 November 2024
Millions of women and girls who have been forced to flee their homes are facing an alarmingly high risk of gender-based violence (GBV), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned today.
According to a new report by UNHCR, “Invisible Wounds: Gender-Based Violence Against Refugees and Displaced Women and Girls,” more than half of all refugee and internally displaced women and girls surveyed have experienced some form of GBV, including physical, sexual, or psychological violence.
The report found that women and girls who have been displaced are particularly vulnerable to GBV due to a number of factors, including:
- Lack of access to protection and support services
- Social and cultural norms that condone violence against women
- Increased economic and social insecurity
- Pre-existing trauma and mental health issues
- Discrimination and marginalization
“GBV is a serious and pervasive problem that affects millions of women and girls around the world,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “It is a violation of human rights and has devastating consequences for the health, well-being, and safety of women and girls. We must do more to prevent and respond to GBV and support survivors.”
The UNHCR report calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to preventing and responding to GBV against refugee and displaced women and girls. This includes:
- Strengthening legal and policy frameworks to protect women and girls from violence
- Providing access to essential services, such as healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal aid
- Empowering women and girls and promoting their participation in decision-making
- Addressing the root causes of GBV, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination
“We must create a world where every woman and girl is safe and free from violence,” Grandi said. “This is a matter of human rights, dignity, and justice.”
For more information on UNHCR’s work to prevent and respond to GBV, please visit: www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html
Millions of women and girls forced to flee face high risk of gender-based violence: UNHCR
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