Women and girls are at increased risk of violence in conflict and humanitarian crises due to displacement, the breakdown of social structures, a lack of law enforcement, and a culture of impunity. This briefing paper provides a succinct overview of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in conflict and humanitarian emergencies. It reveals that little is known about the prevalence of VAWG in humanitarian emergencies. In addition, there is little robust evidence on what works to prevent and respond to VAWG in humanitarian emergencies. What evidence does exist suggests that the types of VAWG prevalent in humanitarian emergencies are not dissimilar to VAWG in non-emergency settings. As such, approaches that have been successful decreasing forms of VAWG such as intimate partner violence, and target underlying unequal gender norms and practices, may also be applicable in humanitarian settings.

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