As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin, we are called to reflect on one of the most devastating consequences of conflict: the profound and often overlooked impact on women and girls. From the ravaged streets of Gaza to the embattled cities of Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Lebanon, wars have turned the bodies of women into battlegrounds, making gender-based violence a grim hallmark of conflict.
In Palestine, decades of occupation and violence have placed women and girls in constant jeopardy. They face harassment and violence at checkpoints, during military raids, and in their daily lives. The destruction of homes and communities in Gaza has not only displaced thousands but also exposed women to increased risks of exploitation, sexual violence, and domestic abuse as families are forced into overcrowded living conditions. These challenges are compounded by limited access to healthcare, education, and legal recourse under occupation, further entrenching gender inequalities.
In Lebanon, the ripple effects of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict have exacerbated vulnerabilities for women, including Syrian and Palestinian refugee women, who face sexual violence and exploitation in displacement camps. Sudan, meanwhile, grapples with the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, with militia groups targeting women in a systematic campaign of terror. In Yemen, years of conflict have driven child marriages and trafficking to alarming levels as families resort to desperate measures for survival. Syria and Libya similarly remain hotbeds of violence where women endure rape, trafficking, and the loss of livelihoods.
Conflict magnifies existing gender inequalities, while the militarization that fuels these wars perpetuates cycles of violence, leaving women and girls disproportionately affected. The global arms trade, which feeds these conflicts, further exacerbates the crisis, providing weapons that are turned against the most vulnerable.
This year, our campaign focuses on the intersection of war and gender-based violence. Through interviews with activists from Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya, we will amplify the voices of those on the frontlines of this crisis.
Let us use this campaign not only to raise awareness but to advocate for meaningful change. Together, we can push for accountability, empower survivors, and ensure that the rights and dignity of women and girls are protected even in the darkest of times. Because every 10 minutes, a woman is killed, and behind every statistic is a story we must never forget.