Scaling Up Gender-Sensitive Humanitarian Action

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a phenomenon that transcends social, economic, and geographic borders. Impacting girls and women all over the world,  GBV is fueled by multiple factors, including cultural norms, male dominance, social acceptance of harmful practices, and insufficient legal protections.  This policy brief discusses several approaches that can help societies step up GBV prevention and build a stronger response to violence when it occurs. 

Infographic on how to reduce gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Infographic on how to ensure access to comprehensive health services for girls and women.

While many countries continue to face daunting obstacles to realizing access to health services for all girls and women, there are demonstrated strategies that can help break down these barriers. This brief discusses some of the approaches that can help communities improve the access that girls and women have to a comprehensive range of services their enjoyment of rights physical and mental health.

Infographic on ensuring equitable and quality education at all levels.

In two-thirds of all countries, girls now enroll in primary school at the same rate as boys. However, global statistics mask persistent inequalities that still exist in many parts of the world, where girls are far more likely to be out of school. Hard realities such as poverty, school fees, travel distance, and the absence of menstrual hygiene management facilities at school limit girls’ access to education, especially at the post-primary level. As the development community embraces the new Sustainable Development Goals, improving access to quality education and training opportunities for girls and women needs to be at the forefront of the movement towards gender equity.

Infographic on why girls and women are critical to development and the success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Achieving progress for girls and women is dependent upon accurate, disaggregated data to guide interventions and hold governments accountable. This policy brief explores the crucial nature of global data and accountability, as well as mechanisms and initiatives that have been established to drive progress for women and children at the country, regional, and global levels.

Infographic on how to improve data and accountability for girls and women.

Infographic on Improving Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition.