This year, in the lead up to International Women’s Day, International NGO CARE Australia is shining a light on women in conflict.
CARE research shows almost 1 in 6 women (600 million) around the world live less than 30 minutes away from a conflict zone. They are often disproportionately affected, facing sexual violence, the loss of incomes and livelihoods, and plummeting health care – leading to higher death rates, even from preventable causes.
In addition to being the primary caregivers, many women must also step into the role of breadwinner, as conflict takes men away from their traditional roles. Sometimes, women are the ones who flee with their families, often without their husbands. In both instances, women take on new burdens without letting go of the unequal workloads they already had.
Yet a recent CARE report found that despite these obstacles, women in conflict are overwhelmingly taking active, leading roles to support and uplift their communities. Women provide meals and shelter to those fleeing their homes. They are advocates for change. 79% of women are finding ways to make communities safer, 71% are providing health services, and 46% are diversifying incomes to care for their families.
Luke Gracie, Head of Humanitarian at CARE Australia says:
“The challenges for women in conflict are real, and we must do more to address them, both through humanitarian aid, but also through recognising and valuing women’s leadership in times of conflict and on the path to peace. The findings show how important women are as active first responders and recovery leaders in regions wracked by conflict and other crises.”
This International Women’s Day, CARE Australia is calling on key decision makers to listen to the voices of women and recognise their essential leadership in emergencies.
CARE Australia has also launched the Women in Conflict Appeal, with funds going towards items such as hygiene kits, creation of safe spaces for women and girls, and training for CARE workers to support survivors of gender-based violence.
On Thursday, 6th March, all donations to the appeal will be matched, meaning your impact is doubled.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Briony FitzGerald 0404 117 927
Source: CARE’s Women in War May 2024 report. The report combines surveys, qualitative interviews, and data models using publicly available datasets to understand women’s experiences in conflict. The surveys cover 13,785 women across 15 different countries since 2020.
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia is one member of the global CARE Confederation. CARE Australia supports women and girls around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women and girls to be educated and to earn an income, gain access to essential resources like food, health care & clean water, and to be able to withstand and recover from the increasing impacts of disasters, conflict and other crises. Our programs focus on women & girls because we know when one woman breaks the cycle of poverty she brings four others with her – and that’s a powerful multiplier of impact. www.care.org.au
