Breaking Barriers: Women Leading Humanitarian Action to Save Lives
In today’s world, where dangerous situations abound, there are unsung heroes who tirelessly provide lifesaving assistance to those in need. Astonishingly, more than 40 percent of these humanitarian workers are brave and tireless women who play a pivotal role in the survival and resilience of families and communities. However, these remarkable women face numerous challenges and risks as they strive to serve those in need.
Accessing humanitarian aid remains a considerable barrier for women, with conflict-related sexual violence and limitations on mobility being just a few of the obstacles they face. Recognizing the urgency to address these barriers and ensure gender equality in effective humanitarian action, UN Women became a member of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on humanitarian coordination in October 2022. This membership provides an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives, analysis, and data from women’s voices into response plans, ultimately centering gender equality in humanitarian efforts.
UN Women continues to expand its presence in crisis settings worldwide, focusing on reaching women and girls who are often the hardest to access and who have frequently been the initial responders in times of crisis. In 2022 alone, UN Women actively contributed to humanitarian and refugee coordination mechanisms across more than 40 country and regional contexts, spanning Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, as well as Europe and Central Asia.
For instance, in Turkey, UN Women, in collaboration with civil society partners, is addressing the urgent and long-term needs of women and girls affected by devastating earthquakes. In Sudan, support is extended to the network Peace for Sudan, which comprises 49 women-led peace initiatives, humanitarian endeavors, and civil society organizations. This network takes the lead in the humanitarian response and campaigns tirelessly for an end to the conflict. Through the Central Emergency Response Fund Block Grant, UN Women and its partners have successfully reached survivors of gender-based violence and vulnerable women and girls, offering protection services, livelihood opportunities, and skills development through vocational training.
Moreover, with grants from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, of which UN Women serves as the Global Secretariat, 1,177 women’s rights organizations from 11 countries implemented interventions to protect the rights of women and girls and combat sexual and gender-based violence in 2022.
Solidarity marks this year as we reaffirm our commitment to the values and principles of humanitarian action. It is essential that humanitarian actors work impartially to reach all communities, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class, political opinion, or location. Today, and every day, we express our gratitude to past and present humanitarian actors who have selflessly served diverse communities without prejudice, no matter who they are or where they are.
In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by women in accessing humanitarian aid, their crucial role in saving lives cannot be understated. It is imperative that we recognize and address the barriers they encounter, ensuring their voices are heard, and their contributions are valued. Through the tireless efforts of organizations like UN Women, progress is being made to uplift and empower women in humanitarian action, creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and survive.
