Who Bears the Brunt of Civil & Political Unrest? Women and Girls

Across conflicts and crises worldwide, women and girls suffer disproportionately. The data is stark: sexual violence as a weapon of war, maternal mortality spikes when clinics close, school enrollment plummeting for girls, and exclusion from peace negotiations that shape post-conflict societies.

Key Vulnerabilities

• Gender-based violence: Rape, forced marriage, trafficking surge in lawlessness.
• Healthcare access: Reproductive services, prenatal care, and menstrual hygiene collapse first.
• Education disruption: Girls pulled from school for safety, labor, or early marriage.
• Economic precarity: Women overrepresented in informal sector—first to lose income.
• Political exclusion: < 20% of peace-agreement signatories are women (UN Women).

Why It Matters

Ignoring gendered impacts produces fragile recoveries. Inclusive peace processes are 35% more likely to last 15+ years (Council on Foreign Relations). Investing in women's protection and participation isn't charity—it's strategic stability.