Women in armed conflicts

More women fleeing armed violence 

Around 700 million women and girls are living within 30 miles of an active armed conflict, which is the highest figure since the 1990s. Civilian casualties among women and children have quadrupled since 2023. 

In 2024, more than 60 million women and girls were forced to flee their homes, leaving them at risk of violence, deprivation, and insecurity. This reflects the growing number of civilians affected by armed conflict. As women often play a central caregiving role, they are more likely to flee with their families, which increases their representation among displaced populations. 

In Kenya’s Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, HI provided rehabilitation services to 1,500 women (out of 4,100 total people) and mental health support to 10,000 women (out of 19,500 total people) in 2025.  

Sexual abuse: a weapon in armed conflicts 

Conflict-related sexual violence is rising sharply, with increases of up to around 35% against girls expected. Attacks on homes, schools, markets, and health facilities, which disproportionately affect women, are more common in armed conflicts. At the same time, protective measures and services for women, such as mobile courts, clinics with trained staff, and street lighting at night, are often damaged or weakened, contributing to a climate of impunity.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, plagued by endless armed violence, HI supported 234 victims of sexual violence in 2025.  

Women severely under-represented in peace negotiations 

On average, only 7% of conflict negotiators were women in 2025. Although women participate in many United Nations-led peace processes, their representation remains low and is declining in some contexts. Few peace agreements include gender-specific provisions, and women’s local peacebuilding efforts often fail to translate into influence at the national level. 

Backlash against women’s rights 

In many countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, and Sudan, institutions and services supporting women’s rights, such as those related to education, employment, reproductive health, and legal protection, have been curtailed or rolled back due to conflict and political resistance. 

In Afghanistan, where women can find it difficult to access basic services, HI supported 13,500 women and girls with rehabilitation services in 2025. This represents almost 30% of HI's total patients. 

Main source of the article: Report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security