Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence reaches every corner of the globe. During humanitarian emergencies, GBV soars.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world. It occurs in every country, across all segments of society. GBV entails any harm or threat of harm inflicted on a person because of male-female power imbalances entrenched within a society.
Sexual violence, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, sex trafficking and femicide are all forms of gender-based violence. GBV can be physical, sexual, mental or economic in nature.
While gender-based violence is inflicted on men and boys too, it's women and girls who face the greatest threat. Nearly one in three has been subjected to sexual or intimate partner violence in her lifetime.
Survivors of this violence suffer devastating consequences. Many experience severe physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies and exposure to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Self-harm, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are also common.
What's more, survivors are frequently subjected to victim-blaming or socially ostracized, leaving them at risk of poverty, isolation and further violence. Some are forced to marry their perpetrators. Others face retaliation for reporting their experiences – as in the case of so-called ‘honour killings’.
All the while, perpetrators often go unpunished, instilling a fear throughout communities that confines women and girls to their homes and robs them of education, employment and so much more. Gender-based violence is often inflicted to deprive survivors not only of their health and dignity, but also of their autonomy.
In emergency settings, GBV soars. Conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises can significantly weaken a society’s ability to protect women and girls. Rates of intimate partner violence rise in these settings. Many armed groups use sexual violence as a weapon of war to advance military or political aims. And girls and women may be forced to trade sex for food, money and other resources they need to survive.
UNICEF’s response
When disaster strikes, UNICEF is on the ground, working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. We focus on the unique needs of girls and women – recognizing their systemic exposure to sexual violence – while helping to ensure support is available for every survivor.
In coordination with governments, civil society and United Nations partners, we provide survivors with clinical health services, dignity kits, psychosocial support and the safe spaces they need to access care and protection. Safe spaces allow women and girls to participate in activities for empowerment and learn critical information on how to receive aid and where to report sexual exploitation and abuse.
In 2023, UNICEF reached nearly 23 million women and girls in 77 countries with care services related to gender-based violence.
UNICEF also works to address the underlying social drivers and environmental conditions that lead to a higher incidence of GBV in emergencies. We partner with communities to tackle harmful norms that perpetuate GBV, and coordinate across sectors to help women and girls participate in community planning that mitigates risks.
What’s more, we promote the economic empowerment of women and girls through initiatives like cash transfer programmes, tuition for basic literacy and numeracy skills, advice on income-generating activities, and schemes for credit and saving. Our social empowerment activities focus on leadership and life skills.
UNICEF’s extensive research on GBV in emergencies also builds evidence for the greater humanitarian community. We invest in strengthening protection systems that address gender-based violence – including through health and social services – and that help keep all women, girls and boys from harm’s way.