Over 60 million women and girls worldwide live as forcibly displaced or stateless individuals. They face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV) every day. Despite this, funding for critical services to support these survivors falls desperately short, the UNHCR revealed on Friday.
Conflict-related sexual violence reports surged by 50% last year compared to 2023, according to UN data. Women and girls made up 95% of verified cases. Yet, the true scale remains hidden. Many survivors fear reporting due to potential retaliation and social stigma, leaving countless stories untold.
BARRIERS TO JUSTICE AND ASSISTANCE
Access to justice and resources remains a significant challenge in remote areas. Survivors often lack avenues for help and protection. “In conflict zones, survivors endure horrific violence. They also face sexual exploitation and torture,” said Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson, during a press briefing in Geneva.
GENDER VIOLENCE AS A WEAPON OF WAR
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sexual violence has become a grim extension of warfare. Displacement sites see escalating GBV cases, with rape as the most reported violation.
“In Chad, women fleeing Sudan report being raped along their escape routes,” Mantoo highlighted. In Afghanistan, restrictive policies and domestic violence contribute to a mounting mental health crisis. UNHCR partners report an increase in patients seeking mental health support.
WOMEN ON MIGRATION ROUTES FACE HARROWING ABUSE
Women refugees and migrants moving toward the Mediterranean face staggering abuse. Humanitarian estimates reveal that 90% are raped during their journeys. Even after reaching safer countries, survivors face further risks and delays in accessing essential services.
INTERSECTING RISKS WORSEN VULNERABILITIES
Displaced women and girls face compounded threats due to poverty, disabilities, or diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. These intersections increase their exposure to violence and exploitation.
“For women in displacement settings, the risk of intimate partner violence is estimated to be 20% higher than for non-displaced women,” Mantoo explained.
A FUNDING CRISIS FOR GBV SERVICES
Despite the urgent need for intervention, funding for GBV programming falls drastically short. UNHCR revealed that six major regional refugee response plans collectively required $236 million for the year. Nevertheless, only 28% of that goal has been met.
This funding gap threatens the availability of lifesaving services, leaving millions of displaced women and girls vulnerable in 2024.
THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
As part of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, UNHCR is urging stakeholders to prioritize GBV prevention and response efforts. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December. It highlights the urgent need for global action to protect displaced women and girls.
Early intervention and effective response programs are essential to protect displaced women and girls from GBV. Without adequate funding, their lives remain in peril. Governments, organizations, and individuals must rally to close the funding gap and provide the support these survivors desperately need.
