Women fleeing conflicts in large numbers
Around 700 million women and girls live within 50 km of a conflict, the highest number since the 1990s. The number of women and children among civilian victims of armed violence has quadrupled since 2023.
In 2024, more than 60 million women and girls had to flee their homes, exposing them to violence, deprivation, and insecurity. The number of civilians affected by armed conflicts is increasing. Since women often have a central responsibility in their families, they are more likely to flee with them, increasing their representation among displaced populations.
In the refugee camps of Dadaab and Kakuma in Kenya, HI provided adaptation services to 1,500 women (out of a total of 4,100 beneficiaries) and mental health support to 10,000 women (out of a total of 19,500 beneficiaries) in 2025.
Sexual violence: a weapon in wars
Sexual violence related to conflicts is on the rise, with a 35% increase in violence against girls in 2024. Attacks on houses, schools, markets, and health facilities, disproportionately affecting women, are becoming more frequent in armed conflicts. At the same time, measures and protection services for women, such as mobile courts, clinics with qualified staff, and public lighting at night, are often damaged or weakened, contributing to a climate of impunity.
In the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, torn apart by endless violence, HI assisted 234 victims of sexual violence in 2025.
Women underrepresented in peace talks
On average, only 7% of conflict negotiators were women in 2025. Although women participate in many peace processes led by the United Nations, their representation remains low and is decreasing in some contexts. Few peace agreements include gender-specific provisions, and the efforts of women, often very local, in favor of peacebuilding often do not translate into influence at the national level.
Setback in women’s rights
In many countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, and Sudan, institutions and services that support women’s rights, such as education, employment, reproductive health, and legal protection, have been reduced or eliminated due to conflicts and political resistance.
In Afghanistan, where women have difficulty accessing basic services, HI helped 13,500 women and girls by providing adaptation services in 2025. This represents nearly 30% of HI’s total beneficiaries.
Main source of the article: Report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security
