Turning struggle into strength

Empowering women to end gender-based violence in countries affected by climate change and conflict

January 8, 2025
people carrying a bucket of water over their heads

In Sierra Leone, water kiosks provide women safe access and have had positive impacts on their social and economic empowerment.

Photo: UNCDF/Olusoji Seye

“Water is a huge problem for us. In fact, it is to blame for many cases of teenage pregnancies and violence against women,” explains Humama Kargbo, a member of Dworzak community living in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. 

Climate change, combined with illegal deforestation and mining, has greatly diminished the city’s water supply, leading to conflicts among migrants. Women and girls are the involuntary victims in this struggle, as young men from ethnic groups illegally controlling water resources often demand sex in exchange for water, and inflicting violence if refused.

Climate change has become a key driver of conflict and forced displacement globally. According to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, 75 percent of the 120 million people displaced people globally live in countries heavily impacted by climate change, and four out every five people displaced by the climate crisis are women and girls. Moreover, climate change continues to be a major driver of displacement, with an estimated 1.2 billion expected to be forced from their homes by climate extremes by mid-century. 

In such settings, the risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) increases significantly. Research shows that 70 percent of women experience SGBV in humanitarian contexts compared with 35 percent in other scenarios globally. 

Climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts and hurricanes force millions of people to flee their homes. Displacement often leads to overcrowded and insecure living conditions in temporary shelters or refugee camps, where women and girls are particularly vulnerable to SGBV. 

a group of people around each other

In Cambodia, women-led groups working on disaster risk reduction are also challenging gender norms.

Photo: UNDP Cambodia

Scarcity of essential resources such as water and food increases competition and conflict over them. Women and girls, who are often responsible for collecting water and fuelwood in their households, must travel longer distances in search of these necessities, exposing them to higher risk of harassment and assault.

Economic stress from climate impacts on livelihoods can also push them into exploitative situations, including early marriage and sex work. In the aftermath of conflicts and disasters, social and legal structures often break down, reducing the protection and support available to women and girls.

Sexual and gender-based violence is a profound violation of human rights. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach that provides economic empowerment and ensures access to essential resources while building the capacity of governments and communities to mitigate risks.

Sustainable livelihoods empower women and reduce their vulnerability to SGBV. In the conflict-affected Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) region of Philippines, providing solar-operated ice-making machines and fridges to women fisherfolk, who are war widows, has enabled them to store  their catch and fetch higher prices in the market. This has not only decreased the likelihood of SGBV but also contributed towards enhancing food and livelihood security, and combined with conflict resolution efforts, accelerated reconciliation and reintegration efforts.

a group of people posing for the camera

Women's active involvement in decision-making processes leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Photo: UNDP Nigeria

Ensuring access to essential resources like clean energy and water is also vital. In refugee camps like Azraq and Za’atari in Jordan, the installation of solar photovoltaic plants has significantly improved security and quality of life. Off-grid access to energy has reduced the need for women and children to collect firewood, a task that exposed them to violence. It has also enabled safer, more productive living conditions, and greater personal safety after dark. Combined with skill development programmes, it has increased women refugees’ participation in the workforce.

Strengthening the capacity of governments and communities creates an environment for long-term mitigation of SGBV. This includes effective implementing of legal frameworks, training for law enforcement and community leaders, and ensuring support services for victims. In the Lake Chad Basin and Liptako-Gourma Region, over 5,000 security personnel have completed training on human rights and prevention of gender-based violence across Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger, which has contributed to nearly 600,000 women feeling secure and empowered.

a group of people sitting posing for the camera

Installation of solar powered lighting has improved security and quality of life for refugees in Jordan.

Photo: UNDP/Sumaya Agha

Amplifying women’s voices and enhancing their role in decision-making helps challenge and change societal norms and power dynamics that perpetuate SGBV. When women are actively involved in decision-making processes, their perspectives and experiences help shape solutions that lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes. In Cambodia, women-led groups working on disaster risk reduction are also challenging gender norms that existed in their communities, leading to a drastic reduction in cases of domestic violence.

In Freetown, Sierra Leone, an initiative to establish water kiosks to provide women safe access has had positive impacts on their social and economic empowerment. Over 7,500 community members have taken part in awareness programmes on gender-based violence, while 45 women leaders and 40 women’s groups have learnt dialogue and conflict resolution techniques, enabling them to take leadership roles within their communities.

Hawa Mansaray is one of them. A community chairlady in Rokupa, East Freetown, she has become an active agent of change after the trainings. “Now when we have conflicts over water in the community, I go to stop them and find solution before it escalates. And for the water management, this is much better now, the well owners know we the women have our roles, and we now control who we give water to. That violence against our girl child will not happen here again,” she says.