Gender-based violence (GBV) and different crisis situations are inextricably linked. The information shared on this page draws on EIGE’s research findings and gender statistics to highlight how crisis situations exacerbate the risks of GBV.

Recent years of increased migration demonstrated the need to address gender-based violence (GBV) in migration settings. The risks of GBV increase during times of crises and subsequent migration due to a variety of reasons, such as the breakdown of rule of law, changes in gender norms or scarcity of resources.

During migration, girls and women are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and violence, risks stemming from the disruption of social support networks or the language barriers. Women’s and girls’ vulnerabilities are heightened due to their insecure legal and asylum status, which impacts their access to justice and ability to report GBV.

Addressing gender-based violence in migration

How to strengthen national actions plans on Women, Peace and Security across the EU

EIGE’s recent project explores the opportunities for strengthening the protection of women and girls who are migrants, asylum seekers or refugees from GBV. One of possible instruments to increase the protection and empowerment of women and girls in migration and asylum settings are national action plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

  • Includes recommendations and best practices for EU institutions and Member States on how to develop coordinated, gender-responsive NAPs with the goal of eradicating GBV.
  • Underscores the crucial role of civil-society organisations, need for robust data collection, sufficient financial and human resources for creation and implementation of NAPs, and monitoring and evaluation of progress and challenges when it comes to implementation.
  • Analyses the potential of NAPs on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) as instruments to prevent gender-based violence and empower and protect women and girls in migration settings.

Women, Peace and Security

Women, Peace and Security agenda is an umbrella term encompassing a series of UN Security Council resolutions, which reshaped the role and narrative around women in conflict and security, highlighting their active role as peacebuilders and change makers, not passive victims.

The strengthening of the WPS agenda within national action plans focuses on:

  • Addressing GBV in migration contexts
  • Improving support mechanisms for migrant and displaced women
  • Promoting inclusive and gender-responsive migration and security policies
  • Aligning international normative commitments with realities on the ground

Challenges

The major challenge identified in connection with NAPs was Member State’ focus on external conflict settings and lack of concrete actions to be implemented internally. The policy brief includes recommendations and best practices from NAPs of 7 analysed Member States that address these challenges.

These recommendations and best practices centre on: 

  • Engaging with civil-society organisations during the design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring phases of NAPs
  • Effective coordination of NAPs between different ministries and entities, strengthened role of gender equality bodies
  • Robust monitoring and evaluation practices, using gender-responsive indicators and sex-disaggregated data
  • Sufficient and sustainable financial and resource allocation