United Nations (TDI): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised alarms over the rising risks of gender-based violence (GBV) faced by over 60 million displaced women and girls globally, with critical funding for vital support services falling drastically short.
Reports indicate that conflict-related sexual violence surged by 50 percent last year, with women and girls accounting for 95 percent of verified cases.
However, the UNHCR emphasized that this statistic likely represents only a fraction of the actual occurrences, as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear of retaliation.
In many remote and conflict-affected areas, humanitarian access is severely limited, and survivors of GBV often face barriers to justice, further compounded by social marginalization.
Shabia Mantoo, a spokesperson for UNHCR, highlighted that displaced women are subjected to sexual violence, torture, and exploitation, with women’s bodies increasingly used as instruments of war, particularly in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Chad.
Also Read: UNHCR Urges Urgent Assistance for War-Hit Lebanon
In Afghanistan, rising violence against women, coupled with severe restrictions and economic challenges, has led to a mental health crisis, with many seeking support.
Refugee women traveling towards the Mediterranean face rampant sexual violence and human trafficking, with reports showing that 90 percent of them are sexually assaulted.
Domestic Violence
The UNHCR also noted that displaced women and girls are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence, with risks for them being 20 percent higher than for non-displaced women.
Additionally, intersecting forms of discrimination, such as those affecting women with disabilities or from marginalized communities, exacerbate these risks.
While the need for GBV prevention and response services is urgent, funding for such programs remains insufficient.
Also Read: Pakistan, UNHCR agree on lasting solutions for Afghan Refugees
For example, UNHCR’s funding for GBV initiatives across major refugee response plans for regions like the DRC, Afghanistan, and Syria is only 28 percent of what is needed.
As part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10, UNHCR is calling for increased attention and support to prevent further suffering among displaced women and girls.
Without adequate funding, millions may continue to face severe risks and remain unable to access essential services in the coming year.
