Women in armed conflicts

To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, here are five facts and figures about women affected by armed conflict.

A woman walks with her back to the camera on a sandy path surrounded by mud houses and trees. She is wearing colorful clothes, with a black bucket on her head and a cloth over her shoulder. She is carrying two bags in her left arm.

Woman survivor of violence who received mental health and psychosocial support, as well as a kit including soap, clothes and sanitary protection. Since 2012 and the crisis shaking the region, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in Mali. | ©Studio 360 / HI

More women fleeing armed violence

Around 700 million women and girls are living within 50 km 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 vulnerable to 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, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) provided rehabilitation services to 1,500 women (out of 4,100 total beneficiaries) and mental health support to 10,000 women (out of 19,500 total beneficiaries) 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 in 2024. 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 ripped 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 females 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 beneficiaries.

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

Date published: 08/03/26