Gender-based violence (GBV) increases in humanitarian emergencies due to heightened risks and reduced protection, particularly for women and girls. Natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and conflicts weaken support systems, disrupt communities, and make it harder for survivors to seek help. GBV has potentially significant and long-lasting physical and mental health consequences, including injury, unintended pregnancy and pregnancy complications, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These impacts can be life-threatening, making comprehensive health care for GBV survivors an essential part of humanitarian assistance.
@ WHO / Fabeha Monir
Survivors of GBV often face several barriers when trying to access health services, especially in emergency settings:
Many survivors avoid seeking help due to the stigma associated with GBV and the fear of retaliation from perpetrators, which can discourage them from accessing needed care.
In crisis situations, health care facilities are often damaged or overwhelmed, making it difficult for survivors to reach safe, functioning services.
Many health workers are not adequately trained to handle GBV cases sensitively, which can lead to poor care experiences and discourage survivors from seeking support.
Social norms, restrictive policies, and legal barriers in some settings can prevent survivors from seeking or receiving appropriate care, limiting their access to essential support services.
© WHO / Fabeha Monir
© WHO / Chloe Sharrock
WHO has trained over 10,000 health workers to provide compassionate, survivor-centered care.
WHO has also strengthened Health Cluster coordination and health services to address GBV in 29 humanitarian settings, enabling health organizations to work together, establish essential services, and ensure GBV survivors receive the necessary referrals and support.
To maintain high-quality care, WHO collaborates with countries to implement clear protocols and guidelines for treating GBV survivors.
By focusing on capacity strengthening, policy advocacy, and enhanced coordination, this initiative supports health systems to better address the needs of GBV survivors, from immediate response to long-term recovery.
A series of case studies are showcased in the subsequent pages. They highlight prior and ongoing work on GBV in humanitarian emergencies undertaken by WHO and its impact in five countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh (Cox’s Bazaar), Colombia, Nigeria (BAY States) and Ukraine. Each case study highlights key achievements of the past 6 years, the context in which GBV risks exist, specific barriers to accessing care for survivors that are unique to the context, achievements and the way forward. These case studies show that providing a health response to GBV in humanitarian settings is possible and requires technical, financial and human resources and political will to deliver essential, life-saving health care for survivors.
