The Global Women’s Institute at George Washington University, in collaboration with CARE International and the Union of Relief and Development Associations in Lebanon (URDA), has released a new report highlighting the escalating challenges faced by women and girls in conflict and disaster settings.
The report shows how waves of displacement, economic pressures, and the erosion of social systems have intensified gender-based violence worldwide. The findings indicate that women in crisis environments face increased risks due to limited access to protection services, the breakdown of community networks, and weakened legal and social safeguards.
From Lebanon, the Union of Relief and Development Associations in Lebanon (URDA) emphasized the vital role of local responders in protecting women during emergencies.
URDA’s Executive Director, Ms. Jihan Al-Kaisi, stated:
“Our field teams witness these challenges every day. Strengthening community-based protection mechanisms and ensuring women’s access to safe, survivor-centered services is no longer an option, it is an urgent necessity.”
The report presents a set of key recommendations, including:
- Investing in specialized services to combat gender-based violence and provide safe spaces
- Strengthening data collection and accountability in humanitarian responses
- Empowering women economically as an effective protection measure
- Supporting women-led and community-based organizations to enhance their resilience
- Increasing flexible, long-term funding for protection programs
The three organizations stressed that addressing gender-based violence in times of crisis is both a humanitarian obligation and a fundamental requirement for stability and sustainable recovery. These findings aim to guide policymakers, donors, and humanitarian actors toward more coordinated and effective responses to protect the most vulnerable women and girls in such challenging conditions.