Introduction

Women affected by conflict are repeatedly denied their fundamental right to meaningfully participate in decision-making, advocate for their own self-identified priorities and drive forward solutions to the challenges they face. Efforts to include them in policy-making are too often tokenistic.

The UN Summit of the Future kickstarts a series of significant global milestones throughout 2024 and 2025, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

These milestones represent a “once in a generation opportunity” to accelerate existing commitments to uphold women’s rights and achieve gender equality, justice, peace and security into tangible progress.

But for that opportunity to be realised, the voices of women affected by conflict must be heard.

To achieve this, Women for Women International has facilitated a consultation with over 6500 women in more than 14 conflict affected countries.

To ensure this consultation is truly participatory, inclusive and meaningful, we have partnered with women’s rights advocates and organizations to spearhead this effort – collaborating with them to define and co-design the consultation’s scope and tools; conduct the consultation through surveys, interviews, workshops and focus group discussions; and ensure that the consultation findings and recommendations resonate authentically within their communities and relevant stakeholders.

This project shares unprecedented new evidence and insight, presenting women’s hopes, challenges, experiences and recommendations on the reality of the present, what the future should look like and how we can secure it. It also demonstrates that – despite the challenges - meaningful engagement and consultation with women in conflict affected contexts can and should be done – and provides a blueprint for others to build on.

Across the board, women were clear in their responses: asking is just the first step, and what they want to see next is action.

Change Agents in Nigeria. Photo credit: Sefa Nkansa
A global consultation ensuring the voices of women affected by conflict are heard

In September 2024, world leaders will convene at the United Nations for the ‘Summit of the Future’, a crucial gathering aimed at shaping a new global consensus on peace, security, and cooperation. The Summit will result in a negotiated ‘Pact for the Future’ designed to adapt global efforts to current challenges and secure benefits for future generations. This Summit kickstarts a series of global milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

As with all decision-making processes, women affected by conflict have a fundamental right to meaningfully participate in discussions and processes that will impact their lives. And while commitments have been made to engage with civil society ahead of these milestones, feedback from women and women’s rights organizations in conflict affected contexts is that, more often than not, consultation and engagement can be extractive and disempowering. That’s if it happens at all.

To address this gap – and against the backdrop of growing inequality, rising insecurity and a mounting rollback on women’s rights – Women for Women International has led an inclusive and participatory consultation process, guided by the best practice principles outlined in our  ‘Beyond Consultations‘ tool.

With our support, Change Agents – women survivors of war who are trained in advocacy and leadership skills – and women’s rights organizations steered its design and execution. They defined the scope of the consultation, including identifying relevant questions and themes; fed into the design of the research tools; piloted their use to ensure they were fit for purpose; and have verified the preliminary findings and recommendations that have emerged. The consultation itself engaged over 6,500 individual women across more than 14 conflict affected countries through surveys, focus group discussions and workshops. 54 partner organizations were also engaged through either co-designing the consultation, leading on the data collection or participating in key informant interviews.

In taking this approach, this project – From Asking to Action – aims to ensure that the voices of women affected by conflict emerge loud and clear during this year of global milestones. It also models women’s meaningful participation for decision-makers and leaders – demonstrating how consultation can and should be done.

Women’s rights advocates and organizations are truly key to achieving our collective peace, development and gender equality goals. This can only happen when women have the space, support and resources to utilize their leadership, expertise and insight; and when the voices of women who are leading change in their communities are amplified and actually heard.

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Who we consulted
with and where?
66
00
individual
women
via a combination of focus group discussions and surveys
00
partners
co-designed the consultation, led on the data collection and participated in key informant interviews
00
countries
affected by conflict

Key global
findings

Overall, 64% of the women we spoke to have participated in consultations over the past 12 months. This was not the case in Afghanistan, however, where 70% of women had not been consulted at all – this is despite ongoing commitments from the international community to involve women in Afghanistan in going decision-making processes relating to their future.

In light of that, we also asked women what would make consultation feel meaningful to them, and 49% of women said that participation alone would be – since it would be exercising their right to participate in decisions that impact their lives. The other top reasons that emerged were knowing that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process; having a clear understanding of how their input will be used, and gaining new knowledge and skills through the process.

Hopes for the Future

Despite the immense challenges that women affected by conflict are facing, they still have hope for the future.

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, 81% are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 8% of women we spoke to expect their situation to improve, and 11% of women anticipate their situation worsening. In Afghanistan, the worst women’s rights crisis in the world, 89% of women still expect their situation to improve.

In some contexts, women’s hope is waning. In Palestine, 20% of women expect their situation to worsen; in Sudan, 19% expect it to worsen; and in Ukraine 41% expect it to worsen. A huge 79% of displaced Ukrainian women residing in Poland and other host countries expect their situation to get worse.

Participation

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, 70% had participated in community activities. They were more likely to have participated in women’s group meetings (50%) than community dialogues (30%) and mediation activities (only 24%). Only 6% had previously stood for an elected political or other leadership position.

This was not the case in some countries, where participation was low – for example in Myanmar where 52% of women had not participated in any community activities.

This is likely to be connected to the fact that only 27% of women consulted across all 14 countries said they always feel safe participating in community activities, while almost the same number (26%) never or rarely feel safe. A stark comparison to this was the situation for women in the DRC, where 90% said they either always or often feel safe participating in community activities and where women are much more likely to do so.

Protection

56% of the women we spoke to said that women do not move around freely and safely in their community. This was particularly the case for women in Afghanistan where just 13% of women reported that they either always or most of the time move freely. In Nigeria this was not so much of a challenge with 87% of women reported they can always or most of the time move around freely and safely, just 3% reported facing restrictions.

Unsurprisingly, violence against women is also highly prevalent in all 14 countries where we conducted our consultation – with 96% of women reporting violence impacting women in their communities. Intimate partner violence was by far the most highly reported form of violence, selected by 71% of women, with other forms of violence such as child marriage, psychological violence, forced marriage and denial of economic power such as inheritance also being commonly cited.

Prevention

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, over half of those we spoke to (56%) reported that either they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their communities. It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women also reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to a lack of awareness and education (54% of women); a lack of community or family support (52% of women); and stigma against women who speak out and risk their reputation (44% of women).

Considering conflict prevention more broadly, 62% of women described their current situation as insecure, with either constant, ongoing or occasional security issues. In contrast, only 16% of women described their situation as ‘very peaceful and secure’. Given this prevalence of conflict and insecurity, a significant number of women – 71% – recognized the key role that women have to play in both conflict prevention and response.

Relief and Recovery

The three most common problems women face during outbreaks of conflict community are loss of property and livelihoods (reported by 72% of women); separation from family members (67%); and physical violence and abuse (67%).

64% of women cite displacement as a problem faced by women. In fact, unsurprisingly displacement was reported by 71% of Sudanese women and 73% of Palestinian women as the most pressing challenge they face during conflict.

Despite these challenges, only 25% of the women we spoke to reported having received some form of relief and recovery assistance – with the top type of support accessed being food and supplies, healthcare and cash.

Somewhat concerningly, the percentage of women accessing relief and recovery support was lowest in those countries with ongoing complex political, security and humanitarian emergencies where we know women’s needs are significant. In Afghanistan, for example, this was a shocking 10% while in Palestine this was not much better at 18%.

Despite the immense challenges that women affected by conflict are facing, they still have hope for the future.

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, 81% are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 8% of women we spoke to expect their situation to improve, and 11% of women anticipate their situation worsening. In Afghanistan, the worst women’s rights crisis in the world, 89% of women still expect their situation to improve.

In some contexts, women’s hope is waning. In Palestine, 20% of women expect their situation to worsen; in Sudan, 19% expect it to worsen; and in Ukraine 41% expect it to worsen. A huge 79% of displaced Ukrainian women residing in Poland and other host countries expect their situation to get worse.

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, 70% had participated in community activities. They were more likely to have participated in women’s group meetings (50%) than community dialogues (30%) and mediation activities (only 24%). Only 6% had previously stood for an elected political or other leadership position.

This was not the case in some countries, where participation was low – for example in Myanmar where 52% of women had not participated in any community activities.

This is likely to be connected to the fact that only 27% of women consulted across all 14 countries said they always feel safe participating in community activities, while almost the same number (26%) never or rarely feel safe. A stark comparison to this was the situation for women in the DRC, where 90% said they either always or often feel safe participating in community activities and where women are much more likely to do so.

56% of the women we spoke to said that women do not move around freely and safely in their community. This was particularly the case for women in Afghanistan where just 13% of women reported that they either always or most of the time move freely. In Nigeria this was not so much of a challenge with 87% of women reported they can always or most of the time move around freely and safely, just 3% reported facing restrictions.

Unsurprisingly, violence against women is also highly prevalent in all 14 countries where we conducted our consultation – with 96% of women reporting violence impacting women in their communities. Intimate partner violence was by far the most highly reported form of violence, selected by 71% of women, with other forms of violence such as child marriage, psychological violence, forced marriage and denial of economic power such as inheritance also being commonly cited.

Across the 14 countries where we consulted women, over half of those we spoke to (56%) reported that either they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their communities. It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women also reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to a lack of awareness and education (54% of women); a lack of community or family support (52% of women); and stigma against women who speak out and risk their reputation (44% of women).

Considering conflict prevention more broadly, 62% of women described their current situation as insecure, with either constant, ongoing or occasional security issues. In contrast, only 16% of women described their situation as ‘very peaceful and secure’. Given this prevalence of conflict and insecurity, a significant number of women – 71% – recognized the key role that women have to play in both conflict prevention and response.

The three most common problems women face during outbreaks of conflict community are loss of property and livelihoods (reported by 72% of women); separation from family members (67%); and physical violence and abuse (67%).

64% of women cite displacement as a problem faced by women. In fact, unsurprisingly displacement was reported by 71% of Sudanese women and 73% of Palestinian women as the most pressing challenge they face during conflict.

Despite these challenges, only 25% of the women we spoke to reported having received some form of relief and recovery assistance – with the top type of support accessed being food and supplies, healthcare and cash.

Somewhat concerningly, the percentage of women accessing relief and recovery support was lowest in those countries with ongoing complex political, security and humanitarian emergencies where we know women’s needs are significant. In Afghanistan, for example, this was a shocking 10% while in Palestine this was not much better at 18%.


Country
Snapshots
Afghanistan
975
individual women consulted

Afghanistan today reflects the most serious women’s rights crisis in the world, ranking 177 out of 177 countries on the Women’s Peace and Security Index. Since taking power in 2021, the de facto authorities have subjected Afghan women to exceedingly restrictive policies that infringe on their rights – including banning women from secondary and higher education, working for NGOs, political and social participation, access to public spaces such as parks, and in some places a ban on them leaving the house without a mahram (close male relative required to act as a chaperone). Economic insecurity, sexual violence, and a lack of healthcare services and supplies are pervasive challenges facing Afghan women following the breakdown of their freedoms and protections. 23.7 million people, almost 80% of whom are women and children, require humanitarian aid; 13.3 million people need gender-based violence (GBV) services; and one-third of Afghans are projected to face emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 or above) in 2024, disproportionately affecting women and girls. In February 2023, UNESCO reported that 2.5 million school-aged girls and young women were not attending school. The ban in 2022 by the de facto government saw 1.2 million denied access to college and secondary schools.

We consulted with 985 women in Afghanistan for From Asking to Action. 863 women participated individually via our survey and 112 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 10 women-led organizations.

The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and surveys conducted in Afghanistan involved a diverse group of women and generated qualitative and quantitative insights. In the FGDs, 112 women from Kabul and Nangarhar participated. These women represented a range of demographics including clinic workers, students, house-headed women, widows, and mothers. Of the 863 women surveyed, 53% were married, 38% were single, and 7% were widowed. The largest age group represented in the survey was 18-25 years old (39%), followed by those aged 26-35 (28.5%). Educational backgrounds varied, with 30% having tertiary education and 29% having completed secondary school, and 21% having no formal education at all. Occupations ranged from homemakers (34.9%) and unemployed women (33%) to those few employed in formal and informal sectors despite the bans on women from most fields of work, highlighting the socioeconomic diversity of the respondents.

This intentional diversity of demographic characteristics ensured that a broad perspective on the challenges faced by Afghan women was represented. Key themes from the FGDs highlighted the significant barriers to women’s participation in decision-making, such as social norms, family opposition, and women’s lack of education.

Despite these obstacles, there was a clear desire for greater representation and access to leadership opportunities. GBV was another critical issue in which women described insufficient resources for survivors and a cultural reluctance to seek help. However, the Afghan women surveyed also expressed optimism for the future and voiced hopes for increased access to education, community involvement, and enhanced security. Their aspirations underscored the need for systemic change and targeted support to enable women to fully contribute to peace and development in their communities.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Despite the immense challenges that women in Afghanistan are facing, they still have hope for the future. 89% of women surveyed are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 7% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 4% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Afghanistan say that the top three obstacles that they worry will prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • Violence against women (55%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (41%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 70% of women in Afghanistan have not participated in consultations.

41% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so – this is not surprising since this right is under serious threat.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Afghanistan when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (34% of women surveyed)
  • Know that women have been involved in the design of the consultation process (31% of women surveyed)
  • Build connections and networks with other women and stakeholders, and feel that their participation is safe and empowering (31% of women surveyed)
Participation

Over half of the women (59%) we spoke to had not participated in any activities in their communities – and the same percentage of women reported not feeling safe to do so. In fact, only 5% of women reported always feeling safe participating in community activities.

Of those who had participated in community activities, 27% had participated in women’s group meetings. It is positive to see that at least some women we spoke to in Afghanistan are still able to find spaces for solidarity and support. However, when it came to more public-facing community activities, only 13% of women reported participating in advocacy and awareness campaigns and 10% of women had participated in community dialogues.

74% of women in Afghanistan identified legal protection as the main support they need to facilitate women’s participation – an overwhelming majority. This is unsurprising given the recent rise in formal edicts by the de facto authorities that heavily restrict women’s participation in public life. 57% requested financial resources and 56% requested training and capacity strengthening support.

While the rise in formal edicts against women’s rights is a serious hindrance to women’s rights and participation, 97% of the women we consulted in Afghanistan also believe that social norms continue to restrict women’s participation (61% believe significantly so, 27% moderately so and 9% minimally so). Over half of the women that we spoke to – 56% – felt that one of the top social norms or traditions restricting women’s participation in Afghanistan was women being discouraged from speaking in public.

Protection

When asked whether women and girls always move around freely in their community, only 13% of women said they do all or most of the time. In contrast to this, 86% of women said either occasionally (34%), rarely (37%), or never (15%).

Violence against women is highly prevalent in Afghanistan, with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Forced marriage (70%)
  • Intimate partner violence (61%)
  • Psychological violence (61%)

This was thought to mostly be a result of unemployment (reported by 79% of women), lack of education (71% of women) and poverty (71% of women).

72% of women believe that child marriage is being practiced in their community, with 59% of women reporting that they think the frequency of child community is either common or very common.

77% of women either rarely (41%) or never (36%) seek help from institutions to address the violence they face. This is largely due to:

  • Social stigma (61%)
  • Fear of retaliation (56%)
  • A lack of trust in those institutions (50%)

Most women say issues of violence against women are handled ineffectively and with significant delays (48%) or ineffectively and often not addressed at all (32%), likely contributing to the lack of trust in such institutions.

Prevention

67% of women said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. Only 9% of women we spoke to in Afghanistan said they had personally participated.

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Afghanistan reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to a lack of community or family support (54% of women); fear of retaliation (52% of women), and stigma against women who speak out and risks to their reputation (46% of women).

When asked specifically about the role that women in their community play in preventing conflict, only 4% of the women we spoke to in Afghanistan said that women play a major role, while 54% of women surveyed said that women do not play any role at all.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Afghanistan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Bangladesh
898
individual women consulted

More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar were chased from their homes by the army and allied militias in 2017 and during recent crackdowns. The Rohingya refugees’ accounts of rape, murder, and mutilation continue to shock the world. The 600,000 stateless Rohingya remaining in Myanmar face discrimination and overwhelming human rights abuses. Women and girls are especially at risk.

Since August 2017, Myanmar has forced over 700,000 Rohingya refugees – mostly women and children – into makeshift communities at the border of neighboring Bangladesh. As of April 2024, roughly 961,000 Rohingya refugees – over half of whom are women and girls – reside in camps Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char Island in Bangladesh. A decline in humanitarian funding and the absence of livelihood opportunities for refugees present the risk of an acute humanitarian crisis emerging again in Cox’s Bazar, exposing women and girls to heightened risk of vulnerability on top of the protracted crisis they find themselves in.

While local women’s rights organizations are well positioned through their contextual knowledge and networks to contribute to the humanitarian response, this is also at risk as resources decline. Restrictive gender norms and the lack of formal mechanisms to ensure women’s representation and influence in decision-making continue to limit women’s agency and voice in refugee camps and the host community and imperil their safety. Gender-based violence incidents are on the rise and refugees are increasingly resorting to negative coping mechanisms, including child marriage and polygamy and falling victim to trafficking. Women and girls with disabilities in both the camps and host communities remain at higher risk of marginalization and abuse due to stigma and discrimination. Bangladesh adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2019-2022.

The majority of our From Asking to Action consultation with Rohingya women took place in Myanmar itself. We did, however, engage with 58 Rohingya refugee women participants in Bangladesh through 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) to more comprehensively reflect the experience of Rohingya women. During those FGDs, a range of critical issues related to displacement, gender-based violence (GBV), and social inclusion were explored. Of the attendees, 46 were identified as low-income and 33 had low literacy levels. Most participants (35) were under the age of 35, while 23 were older. Discussions highlighted the need for educational and leadership opportunities to empower women, with participants actively engaging despite these constraints.

The sessions revealed significant challenges in accessing justice for GBV due to cultural norms, fear of retaliation, and inadequate legal protections. Women rely on community leaders, health centers, and friends for help, but emphasized a need for more access to legal aid, counseling, and education. Economic instability – exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and ongoing conflict – disproportionately affected women by creating food insecurity and limiting livelihood opportunities. Despite these hardships, participants expressed hope for the future and aspire to take on more leadership roles in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. Women emphasized the importance of being involved in meaningful consultations where their voices would be heard and actions would be taken to address their concerns, particularly in the economic empowerment and relief from ongoing displacement.

Hopes for the future

Rohingya women who participated in the FGDs shared their hopes for the future:

  • Larger roles for women to play in peace and security efforts in the future
  • Leadership opportunities for women
  • Increased education for those in their community.
Meaningful Consultation

Rohingya women involved in FGDs shared that consultations are ‘meaningful’ to them when:

  • They feel like their voices are genuinely listened to
  • Their priorities and recommendations are respected
  • They see concrete actions resulting from their participation/consultation

For Rohingya women, meaningful consultations should be guided by principles of clear communication, follow-up, and a commitment to ensuring that all participants can contribute equally.

Participation

Key barriers to participation included cultural and religious norms that required women to seek permission from family members or community leaders. Social norms also limit Rohingya women’s participation, particularly the expectations of women to complete household responsibilities and the stigma and judgment against women when they participate in decision-making or public life.

During the FGDs, women proposed solutions for overcoming these barriers to women’s participation, such as funding for women’s initiatives. Other enablers of women’s participation included:

  • Education and training
  • Increased leadership opportunities
  • Safe spaces for discussion
  • Increased support from family members
  • Awareness sessions
Protection

Rohingya women face many barriers when it comes to protection and engaging with reporting mechanisms to seek justice for GBV. For those women able to overcome the social norms that increase their risk of experiencing violence, they collaborate with local community leaders and institutions such as health centers and support systems.

Overall, women expressed a need to be more involved in GBV prevention programs and awareness sessions on early marriage, trafficking, and domestic violence. This awareness training will support women in seeking justice using the available reporting systems.

Prevention

There are many contextual, structural barriers created by economic instability, climate change, and insufficient resources for Rohingya women looking to be involved in Prevention efforts. To overcome these barriers, women shared a consistent request for training in peacebuilding and education to understand how to become more active in the prevention space amidst the ongoing challenges posed by their external environment. However, women expressed that economic stability and independence were paramount so that women could feasibly engage in these other activities.

Burkina Faso
58
individual women consulted

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a growing security crisis which has spiraled into a humanitarian emergency and displaced over two million people. Women and girls are particularly at risk and face many challenges such as food insecurity, inadequate housing and sanitation, lack of access to income-generating activities, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Gender inequality remains pervasive in Burkina Faso despite efforts to increase the political participation and representation of women. Women and girls face disproportionate barriers and challenges that have been exacerbated by humanitarian crises and the rise of militant extremist groups. In addition, persistent patriarchal cultural norms and harmful discriminatory practices such as gender-based violence (GBV) and female genital mutilation inhibit progress toward gender equality and threaten the health of women and girls. The political and economic empowerment of women in Burkina Faso remains a major challenge for the country’s sustainable and inclusive development. Boys still have a higher level of education than girls. Similarly, the literacy rate is 59% higher for men (49.2%) than for women (31.0%). Even though Burkina Faso has adopted a new National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS for the period 2023-2025, Burkinabé women remain poorly represented in political and decision-making spheres. Gender stereotypes as well as family obligations, which weigh most heavily on women, exacerbate gender gaps in decision-making positions.

The survey included 404 respondents, with 51% aged between 26 and 45 years old. Most respondents (55%) identified as housewives, while 15% were subsistence farmers, and 9% worked in the informal sector. Educational attainment was low, with 55% of respondents having no formal education, and only 1% reporting tertiary education. In terms of marital status, 69% were married, while 13% were widowed, and 13% were single. These demographics highlight a population with limited formal education and employment opportunities, especially in formal sectors.

The FGDs revealed that women’s participation in community decision-making is constrained by cultural norms that discourage their involvement in public discussions, particularly in mixed-gender settings where they are expected to stay silent in the presence of men. Although some women provide indirect input through male relatives, they call for leadership and advocacy training to increase their confidence to participate in community activities beyond the women’s groups and associations where they are most comfortable. Women see themselves as potential leaders in conflict prevention activities such as community dialogues and education campaigns to prevent land disputes and promote social cohesion, especially amid challenges posed by climate change and poverty. However, they are often excluded from decision-making structures and processes. Protection from GBV remains inadequate, with most support being informal and insufficient to meet the widespread survivor needs for psychological, economic, and legal support. Women express hopes for greater social cohesion, peace, and recognition of their rights. Education, training, and infrastructure (schools, health centers, etc.) development are crucial for women to improve their participation and recovery from conflict and displacement.

We consulted with 804 women in Burkina Faso for From Asking to Action. 404 women participated individually via our survey and 399 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from one women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Amongst the women we consulted with in Burkina Faso, almost all (91%) feel their situation will improve in the next 5 years. 2% of women feel it will stay the same, and only 6% of women think it will worsen.

Women in Burkina Faso say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food insecurity
  • Climate change
  • War, conflict, and insecurity
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 95% of women surveyed in Burkina Faso have participated in consultations.

51% of women in Burkina Faso would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Burkina Faso when they have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (50%), can see tangible changes and improvements as a result of their participation (47%), and can gain new knowledge and skills through the process (47%).

Participation

Women in Burkina Faso report social norms being a serious constraint to their participation, with 51% saying they ‘significantly’ impact women’s participation, and a further 28% saying they ‘moderately’ impact women’s participation.

The specific norms that women surveyed feel prevent their participation the most are:

  • Discouraging women from speaking in public (64%)
  • Expecting women to prioritize domestic responsibilities (61%)
  • Stigmatizing women who participate in politics (58%)

Despite these challenges, women still report participation across a range of community activities. The most frequently cited activities are:

  • Women’s group meetings (77%)
  • Advocacy and awareness campaigns (51%)
  • Community dialogues (38%)

To further strengthen their confidence in participating in community activities, women in Burkina Faso felt the most important support that could be offered was training and capacity building (78%), closely followed by behavior change campaigns (76%) and financial resources (71%).

Protection

Women report having fairly high levels of mobility in Burkina Faso, with almost two-thirds of women surveyed (65%) saying that women and girls are either ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Nevertheless, women still contend with various forms of VAWG. The forms of violence that women consulted felt were most experienced by women in their community were:

  • Forced marriage (56%)
  • Intimate partner violence (55%)
  • Psychological violence (35%)

Women reported that the factors that contribute most to violence include poverty (76%), unemployment (68%), substance abuse (67%), lack of education (62%), and gender inequality (61%).

More positively, when it comes to responding to cases of violence against women, 78% of women consulted said that cases are effectively or very effectively handled at the community level.

Prevention

Women in Burkina Faso felt strongly that women contribute to conflict prevention efforts, with 78% reporting that they perceive women play a major or moderate role, and a further 21% saying women play a minor role. When exploring more specifically the actions women in their community take to prevent conflicts from worsening, women surveyed cited:

  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (74%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (73%)
  • Organize and lead women’s group meetings (64%)

However, women’s communities are facing a range of challenges in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity – these were highlighted to be insufficient education and awareness (85%), lack of resources and funding (81%), and harmful cultural and social norms (57%).

To more effectively advocate against VAWG, women surveyed prioritized the following areas of support needed:

  • Training and education (88%)
  • Financial resources (72%)
  • Community support (67%)
Women engaging with the consultation process in Burkina Faso. Photo credit: Women for Women International
DRC
803
individual women consulted

The history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is marked by brutal oppression by the colonial regime and widespread violence amid the country’s struggle for independence. In the eastern region of the DRC, civilians have grappled with war, civil strife, and rebellion since 1996. As of August 2024, security is deteriorating in South Kivu Province and across eastern DRC, where a record 7.2 million people are now internally displaced. Much of the insecurity is linked to an upsurge in fighting by the M23 armed group. The armed conflict has displaced 1.7 million people and raisedthe risk of a major regional conflagration. Women and girls suffer disproportionately from high rates of gender-based violence (GBV), extreme poverty, lack of services like healthcare, psychosocial support, security, and limited justice for survivors of violence: 51% of Congolese women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, 37% of women were married before their 18th birthday, and 36.7% of women have at least minimal secondary education. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) adopted its second and most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2018 for 2019-2022.

We consulted with 901 women in the DRC for From Asking to Action. 818 women participated individually via our survey and 80 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 3 women’s rights organizations.

Among the 818 women surveyed in the DRC, the age range was broad, but most respondents were between the ages of 26 and 45 reflecting a group of individuals actively involved in their communities and livelihoods. Employment data revealed that around 70% of respondents identified as business owners. Others worked in agriculture – the primary economic activity for most Congolese -or in formal and informal sectors, which reflects the diversity of income-generating activities in the region. Educational backgrounds varied, with 50% of women having completed secondary school, while others had completed primary or tertiary education. Most women (81%) were married, with a smaller proportion widowed, separated, or single.

The focus group discussions provided deeper insights into the realities faced by these women, particularly across key Women, Peace and Security pillars such as prevention, protection, participation, and relief and recovery. Regarding protection, women voiced frustration over the lack of enforcement of existing laws meant to safeguard them. “The laws exist in the constitution, but they are neither disseminated nor respected,” said one participant, emphasizing the disconnect between policy and practice. Regarding participation, there was an acknowledgment that while progress has been made, women are often sidelined in decision-making processes. “Even if women are present, they are rarely asked for their opinions,” one participant noted, indicating that while representation is growing, genuine inclusion remains elusive. Within the relief and recovery pillar, women identified key barriers to accessing health services, often due to the distance of health centers and hospitals, which affects their ability to access GBV support. Lastly, the women’s hopes and aspirations centered on dreams of living in peace and having equal access to education and employment opportunities. “Our dream is to live in peace, free from violence, and to have equal rights to education and employment,” summarized one participant, reflecting a collective yearning for a more just and equitable society. These discussions illuminated the complex interplay between legal, cultural, and societal factors that continue to limit women’s full participation and protection in DRC society.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

The women we consulted with in the eastern DRC almost unanimously (99%) feel their situation will improve in the next 5 years.

Women in DRC say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food scarcity (77%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • Health (55%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 37% of women surveyed in DRC have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

71% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in the DRC when they:

  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (41% of women)
  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (47% of women)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of their participation (33% of women)
Participation

When asked, 28% of women surveyed indicated that they have not participated in any community activities. However, a nearly equal amount (27%) participated in mediation and conflict resolution efforts and 58% of women surveyed have participated in women’s group meetings.

It is surprising that this is not higher, since 90% of women we spoke to in the DRC said that they either always or often feel safe when participating in community activities – for example, expressing their opinion in public or political contexts, contributing to advocacy efforts and engaging with women-focused programs.

Over half of the women surveyed (59%) felt that their community was accepting of women participating in political activities. When asked what would be helpful in improving women’s representation, participation and leadership in decision-making, women in the DRC recommended there be more:

  • Women in leadership positions with community decision making structures (62%)
  • Regular participation by women in community meetings (43%)
  • Consultations with women on a more regular basis (39%).
Protection

Violence against women is a pervasive challenge for women surveyed in the DRC with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (74%)
  • Child marriage (54%)
  • Harassment (44%)

Despite this high prevalence of violence in the DRC, over half of the women we spoke to (53%) are not always able to access protection services – with 11% never accessing services, 16% of women rarely accessing services, and 26% sometimes accessing services. This is unsurprising since only 19% of the women we spoke to appeared to have faith in the system’s ability to handle their cases – the remaining 81% reported that cases are either not addressed or they often face some form of delay.

Prevention

52% of women in DRC said that they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. 32% of these women said they had participated personally. 48% of women said they had not.

Despite women’s participation in prevention activities being reasonably high, relative to the other countries where we consulted with women, it is noteworthy that a significant number of women in DRC reported facing challenges in doing so – particularly due to:

  • Insufficient resources (68% of women)
  • A lack of awareness and education (59% of women
  • A lack of community or family support (38% of women).

When it comes to broader conflict prevention, an overwhelming 97% of women we spoke to in DRC feel that women have a role to play. The top three ways that women reported taking action on conflict prevention are advocating for peace and conflict resolution, organizing and leading women’s group meetings, and participating in education and awareness campaigns.

Women engaging with the consultation process in DRC. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Iraq
303
individual women consulted

Political tension and violence, a weakened economy, and mass displacement continue to destabilize Iraq following the war in 2003 and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the subsequent years. During ISIS’ enforced control of territories, women were abducted and subjected to physical and sexual violence. Following the destabilization of ISIS’ control in Iraq and Syria, Iraq faces a displacement crisis from Iraqi civilians displaced by ISIS and refugees escaping the war in Syria. Following the breakdown of ISIS’ control, 1.2 million displaced persons are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Amid the struggle to rebuild, women IDPs and refugees also face discrimination and patriarchal norms, limiting their social and economic opportunities as they are expected to assume traditional gender roles even in crisis. For women refugees and the internally displaced, the challenges of life in host communities and refugee camps also hinders their access to education or income-generating activities. Women’s ability to participate in a wide range of decision-making processes is influenced by economic factors and determinants, in addition to the impact of customs, traditions, and the effects of conflicts on women. Iraq has recently adopted its second NAP, the 2021-2024 NAP. It adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2014 covering 2014-2018, making it the first country in the MENA region to adopt a NAP.

The demographic data from the survey conducted in Iraq shows that out of 251 respondents, 69% were Iraqi nationals, while 31% were Syrian refugees or migrants. The respondents were primarily women aged between 26-35 years (34%), with the next largest group aged 46-55 years (24%). Most women identified as homemakers (94%), with only a few employed in the formal or informal sectors. Educational levels were generally low, with 41% of respondents having completed primary education, while 21% had no formal education at all. This is common among refugees or IDPs – especially women – whose education may have been disrupted during displacement and never restarted. 73% of respondents were married, and 20% were single, while the remainder were widowed, divorced, or separated. These findings suggest a population facing substantial challenges related to education, economic independence, and social roles, all of which directly impact their ability to engage in community or public life.

The focus group discussions (FGDs) provided deeper insights into the lived experiences of women in conflict-affected regions of Iraq. The discussions revealed significant barriers to women’s participation in decision-making, with traditional gender norms and male-dominated social structures continuing to limit their involvement. One participant stated, “Even if we attend meetings, it’s the men who decide,” underscoring the gendered power imbalance. Women also highlighted their limited access to education and economic opportunities, which further hinders their empowerment and exacerbates the internalization of gender norms that reduce their confidence and prevent them from participating. Many participants shared experiences of gender-based violence and the societal pressures often preventing them from seeking help. One woman remarked, “Even when we are beaten, we don’t report it because we fear being blamed by the community.” The absence of formal legal protections and support systems exacerbates their vulnerability to abuse. In addition to the impacts of conflict and harmful gender norms, women describe growing challenges such as climate change and its impacts on agriculture and livelihoods which are straining already vulnerable populations. Despite these challenges, participants expressed hopes for increased education for their daughters and greater representation in decision-making processes. They envision a future where their voices are heard, and their informal leadership roles and input can meaningfully contribute to peacebuilding and community development.

We consulted with 306 women in Iraq for From Asking to Action. 251 women participated individually via our survey and 50 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 5 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

57% of women we spoke to in Iraq are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 34% of women surveyed expect things to stay the same and 9% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Iraq say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (60%)
  • Gender inequality and harmful social norms (41%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, almost half of women surveyed in Iraq (43%) have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

54% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Iraq when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (74% of women)
  • Feel their participation is safe and empowering (60% of women)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of the engagement (55% of women)
Participation

Women surveyed in Iraq presented a bleak outlook of women’s participation in community activities, with 39% of women responding that they do not participate in community activities or are restricted to women’s group meetings (47%).

This is likely to be directly connected to the fact that 73% of women surveyed in Iraq do not feel safe when participating in community activities.

100% of women surveyed in Iraq also feel that social norms limit women’s participation to varying degrees – 67% believe significantly so, 29% moderately so, and 9% minimally so.

The social norms they feel most restrict women’s participation are:

  • The limitation of women’s roles to domestic responsibility (90%)
  • Denying women the right to inherit property (71%)
  • The discouragement of women speaking up in public forums (71%).

In contrast to this, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Support from their community and family (87%)
  • Increased legal support and protection (75%)
  • Support specifically from male family members, either a husband or a parent (74%)
Protection

Women’s mobility is restricted in Iraq, with over half of women (56%) reporting that women and girls are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Violence against women is also highly prevalent in Iraq, with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (84%)
  • Child marriage (82%)
  • Psychological violence (66%).

Despite reporting a high incidence of violence against women, 66% of the women consulted in Iraq said women in their community either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ seek protection or support from formal mechanisms and institutions in dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. policy, legal aid, community welfare groups etc.). 23% said women sometimes seek support. Only 4% of those surveyed said women always seek support.

Social norms and cultural traditions are the top reported drivers of violence against women (76%) and related stigma is the top reason that women do not seek help or protection against such violence (86%).

Prevention

65% of women said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. Women were more likely to know someone who had participated in prevention efforts (20%) than have participated themselves (14%).

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Iraq reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to:

  • A lack of community or family support (78% of women)
  • Fear of retaliation (76% of women)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (67% of women)

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Iraq report that they:

  • Seek support from local authorities and institutions (82%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (75%)
  • Participate in education and awareness campaigns (54%)

However, only 1% of the women we spoke to said that women play a major role in preventing conflict, while 54% of women surveyed said that women do not play any role at all. This suggests that women do not perceive the actions outlined above to constitute formal conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Iraq. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Mali
506
individual women consulted

Armed conflict, droughts, and political instability have created a dire humanitarian crisis in Mali. 90% of people in Mali live under the poverty line – particularly impacting women and girls – and high unemployment rates plague those living in rural areas. Mali holds the 184th position in the 2020 Gender Inequality Index. Mali is also on the front lines of the climate crisis, the impacts of which are compounding a multi-dimensional and complex situation that further increases the vulnerability of women and girls.

The prevalence of early and forced marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and female genital mutilation persists throughout the nation, with many women facing barriers to justice due to societal pressures against seeking support and a lack of awareness about their rights. Because of the conflict, there has also been an increase in kidnappings and sexual violence. Survivors endure physical and psychological trauma but suffer in silence due to distrust in institutions, fear of reprisals, and community stigmatization. The outbreak of acute conflict in 2012 has since led to the displacement of civilians, including women and unaccompanied children, who face challenges in securing shelter, food insecurity, and the risk of violence. Amidst the ongoing conflict and attacks on civilians, Mali adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security in 2019 for the period 2019-2023. Mali’s third NAP is preceded by two other NAPs, adopted in 2012 and 2015 and implemented for 2012-2014 and 2015-2017, respectively.

We consulted with 507 women in Mali for From Asking to Action. 302 women participated individually via survey and 204 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) with other women. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women’s rights organization.

The majority of the 302 women surveyed were:

  • Aged between 36-45 (35%),
  • Married (69%)
  • Not formally educated (45%)

Employment opportunities are limited, with many women relying on subsistence farming or informal labor. The social norms and cultural traditions in their communities played a key role in constricting their participation in public life. Women are deterred from attending community meetings due to the logistical challenges posed by their significant household responsibilities and due to intentional exclusion from the meetings. Often, even if they can attend a meeting, they feel that their inputs are not taken seriously due to social norms that devalue women’s opinions. Women surveyed in Mali noted that they find alternative tracks for participation and influence through women-led awareness campaigns, associations, and community dialogues, but they lament that these channels are less formalized and would benefit from improved coordination among organizations working on these issue areas.

Finding alternative pathways for engagement and support also emerged as a theme in women’s description of their Protection and Prevention strategies. Women described a lack of awareness coupled with a lack of sufficient effectiveness of laws that are intended to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV). Women shared that they ‘protect themselves’ by avoiding what they perceive to be unsafe areas and respecting their spouses. When these strategies fail, they primarily rely on women’s centers for support and call for greater economic opportunities, legal aid, and psychosocial support groups to assist GBV survivors.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

77% of women we spoke to are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 13% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 10% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Mali say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (51%)
  • Violence against women (38%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (49%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 81% of women surveyed in Mali have participated in consultations.

57% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Mali when they:

  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (57% of women surveyed)
  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process (34% of women surveyed)
Participation

83% of the women we spoke to had previously participated in community leadership and decision-making activities. This is positive, but it is noteworthy that women in Mali were more likely to have participated in women’s group meetings (56%), advocacy campaigns (43%), and community dialogues (42%) than in mediation and conflict resolution (29%) or standing for elected political or other leadership positions (3%) – activities in which participation rates among our respondents were notably low but which are critical for women to participate in given the ongoing and worsening armed conflict within the country.

Feeling safe and secure to participate is not necessarily the biggest barrier to participation, as we see in other contexts. In fact, 73% of women reported sometimes (27%), often (23%) or always (23%) feeling safe while only 11% of women said they never do.

Rather, social norms and traditions present the greatest barrier to women having their voices heard in public life in Mali, with 59% of women reporting that such traditions create a stigma for women who participate in community activities.

This is compounded by economic factors, with women reporting that the household, community, and broader economic environment impact women’s participation by:

  • Limiting access to education and training opportunities (58%)
  • Increasing financial dependency on others (47%)
  • Reducing decision-making power (38%)
Protection

There are relatively high levels of women’s mobility in Mali. When asked whether women and girls always move around freely in their community, 55% of women said they do either most or all of the time and 8% of women said this happened rarely (18%) or never (10%).

Despite this apparent freedom, violence against women is highly prevalent in Mali, with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (78%)
  • Forced marriage (66%)
  • Child marriage (63%), with 72% of women believing that this is being practiced in their community and 59% of women reporting that they think the frequency of child marriage is either common or very common.

Women assessed the drivers of these forms of violence to be unemployment (66% of women surveyed), poverty (65% of women surveyed), and a lack of education (50% of women surveyed).

Even with high levels of experienced violence, only 3% of women surveyed in Mali report that they ‘always’ seek help from security institutions when experiencing cases of violence, and 38% of women rarely (28%) or never do (10%). The reluctance of women to seek help from such institutions seems to be rooted in fear of retaliation (19%), social stigma (16%), and a lack of trust in the institutions themselves (11%) rather than the fact that the services and institutions do not exist, which 0% of women identified as a reason for avoiding such institutions.

There was a strong call to action from women in Mali to improve their protection by:

  • Increasing the public awareness and education on women’s rights (61%)
  • Providing shelters and safe spaces for women (59%)
  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (51%).
Prevention

A relatively high number of women in Mali had either participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls or knew someone who had (62% of women we spoke to).

Despite this, the challenges that prevent women from seeking justice, support, or redress are mirrored in the challenges that hinder them from participating in prevention efforts. These include:

  • A lack of community and family support (60%)
  • Fear of retaliation (44%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out or risk their reputation (37%)

When asked specifically about conflict prevention, 78% of women responded that women in their community play a role. This is significant given that 65% of women shared that they experience conflict and security issues as serious concerns.

Women described such conflict prevention activities as engagement in community dialogues and mediation (50% of women) and advocating for peace (47% of women).

Women engaging with the consultation process in Mali. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Myanmar
446
individual women consulted

More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar were chased from their homes by the army and allied militias in 2017 and, as stateless refugees, they now report experiencing atrocities such as rape and sexual violence, destruction of property, and extrajudicial executions and killings. The Rohingya population either live in government-controlled detention camps or outlying villages under severe restrictions. Conservative cultural and traditional norms within the Rohingya community also hinder access to education for most adolescent girls and women who are often secluded within their homes. The expansion of Arakan Army control in Rakhine State is also likely to have major repercussions for the role of women, particularly in decision-making. Like most societies in Myanmar, Rakhine State is highly patriarchal, with traditional gender roles still prevailing. However, a liberalization period of 2011-2021 facilitated new opportunities for Rakhine women to become politically, economically and socially active. Although men continued to dominate, women participated in new political parties and civil society organizations, and they were also able to gain access to new economic and educational opportunities.

We consulted with 449 women in Myanmar for From Asking to Action. 228 women participated individually via a survey and 218 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) with other women. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 3 women’s rights organizations.

The consultation process in Myanmar with women in regions such as Sittwe, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw, provided valuable insights into the socioeconomic conditions and barriers women face. Most survey respondents were from Sittwe (72%), and a large portion of the participants (28%) were aged between 18-26. Employment status was notably precarious, with 84% of women surveyed sharing that they are currently not engaged in any income-generating activities. Specifically, 37% of women reported unemployment, and 36% identified as homemakers, while only 5% were employed in the formal sector. Educational attainment was similarly limited, as 35% of respondents reported having no formal education, while 30% had secondary education. This demographic data highlights the limited opportunities for women in the region to engage in formal employment or gain higher education, which negatively impacts their capacity to participate in community and political processes. These socioeconomic vulnerabilities frame many of the challenges expressed in the subsequent FGDs, particularly regarding women’s exclusion from decision-making processes.

Key findings from the FGDs shed light on the cultural and societal norms restricting women’s participation. Women expressed a strong willingness to participate in community discussions but faced barriers such as men’s refusal to accept their suggestions or even allow them to attend meetings. Cultural norms – especially men’s dominance in decision-making – make it difficult for women to have an equal voice in decisions and processes. Despite these challenges, the women expressed strong aspirations for leadership roles and advocated for capacity-building programs that could enable them to actively influence decisions affecting their lives. In addition to restrictive cultural norms, the challenges posed by a lack of livelihood and economic support underpinned most of their recommendations. Lack of funds hinders women from participating in community activities and GBV prevention efforts, and their livelihood challenges are exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, displacement, and seasonal food shortages. Women surveyed in Myanmar are eager for change and eager to participate in leading those changes, but they are calling out for greater international solidarity and support for their livelihoods, leadership training and capacity-strengthening, and overall well-being.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

51% of women we spoke to in Myanmar expect their situation to worsen in the next five years. 18% of women expect it to stay the same while 29% of women are hopeful that their circumstances will improve.

Women in Myanmar say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (75%)
  • Food scarcity and insecurity (67%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (53%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, only 37% of women in Myanmar have participated in consultations.

38% of women would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Myanmar when they:

  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process (48% of women surveyed)
  • Gain new skills and knowledge through the process (25% of women surveyed)
Participation

Over 50% of women surveyed in Myanmar had not participated in any community leadership and decision-making activities.

Of those who have participated in community activities, they reported mainly participating in mediation and conflict resolution (32% of women surveyed). A lower percentage of women had participated in women’s group meetings (14%) and advocacy and awareness campaigns (12%) – activities that women surveyed in other countries tended to participate in the most.

The lower participation in public campaigns or meetings is no surprise, given that only 7% of women reported ‘always’ feeling safe in their community. In direct contrast, 84% of women reported never, rarely, or only sometimes feeling safe while 5% of women did not answer the question at all.

In addition to safety and security, 58% of women in Myanmar felt that social norms significantly or moderately restrict women’s opportunities, with the most frequently cited social norms being:

  • Discouraging women from speaking out in public (51%)
  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (33%)
  • Stigmatizing women who participate in politics (32%)

Women in Myanmar called for increased support to facilitate women’s participation, particularly financial resources, legal support and protection, and community and family support.

Protection

Women surveyed identified the following forms of violence as affecting women most in their communities:

  • Intimate Partner Violence (77%)
  • Harassment (55%)
  • Child marriage (50%
  • Girl child trafficking (47%)
  • Psychological violence (47%)

Against this backdrop, only 8% of women in Myanmar always seek help from security institutions when experiencing cases of violence, and 50% of women rarely or never do.

This appears to be due to economic insecurity, with 67% of women indicating that a lack of free services is one of the top reasons they do not seek formal support when they experience violence. 65% of women also reported a lack of trust in the institutions.

Comparatively, only 35% of women cited fear of retaliation as a reason for not seeking support, which is surprising given how few women reported feeling safe in their communities.

There was a strong call to action from women in Myanmar to improve their protection by:

  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (61%)
  • Increasing the public awareness and education on women’s rights (48%)
  • Enhancing access to healthcare and psychological support (39%)
  • Improving security and law enforcement presence (39%)
Prevention

Most women surveyed (56%) described the peace and security situations in their community as very insecure with constant conflicts, and most other respondents described the situation just a degree less severely as frequently insecure with ongoing conflicts (32%).

Despite living in a situation self-described as being on the spectrum of ‘frequently’ to ‘very’ insecure with ongoing to constant conflict, 39% of women surveyed shared that women do not currently play any formal role in preventing conflict, and 40% of women surveyed shared that they were unsure whether women were involved or not.

Women surveyed in Myanmar identified a lack of resources and funding (65%), insufficient education and awareness (55%), and inadequate legal frameworks (45%) as primary challenges facing their community in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Myanmar. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Nigeria
536
individual women consulted

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, but rising instability, cash scarcity, a weakening economy, and distrust of government are threatening its progress. Localized violence spurred by farmer-herder conflict, armed banditry, and the militant Boko Haram group compromises the safety of women and girls—subjecting them to dangers like sexual assault and forced early marriage. Over 50% of girls are absent from secondary school. 2.1 million people are internally displaced — most of them women and children. For Nigerian women and girls, patriarchal norms, rampant gender-based violence (GBV), and poverty are obstacles they encounter in their daily lives. According to research conducted in 2024 by Women for Women International, the top barriers to women’s economic and political participation in Nigeria include lack of education or literacy (a woman may not have the awareness or confidence to express herself on issues that affect society), community attitudes and norms (gender discrimination, stigma around participation, gender-based violence, economic vulnerability (including the impact of poverty on women’s confidence and capacity and the challenges posed by women’s lack of economic independence and financial decision-making power as compared to men), and institutional constraints (lack of government support and socialization of laws can weaken women’s rights and status). Nigeria adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2017 for 2017-2020. It is preceded by one other NAP, adopted in 2013 and implemented for 2013-2017.

Most research participants in Nigeria are women aged 26-35 (38%) and 36-45 (31%). This age distribution highlights a community of women in their prime family-rearing years. Many are also actively contributing to household incomes. Employment data shows that 70% of respondents are business owners, while 12% are involved in profit-oriented farming. This underscores the role of women as key economic actors in their communities despite limited access to formal job opportunities. Educational attainment varied among respondents, with 50% of women completing secondary education, 33% finishing primary school, and 11% having no formal education at all. These findings reflect the diversity in educational backgrounds which plays a role in their capacity to engage in leadership and decision-making. Most of the participants are married (81%), a demographic feature that often impacts their roles in family and community life, as well as their access to resources and opportunities.

In the FGDs, the discussions centered on women’s participation in community meetings, particularly in cases related to gender-based violence (GBV), domestic violence, and early marriage. Many women reported that they are increasingly being called upon to assist in community decision-making processes, such as conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. This involvement, however, is not without its challenges. Cultural norms, lack of education, and insufficient financial support often hinder their ability to fully participate or make decisions. Some women expressed frustrations that – despite being allowed to attend meetings – they are not always given the same respect or authority as their male counterparts. Economic instability, largely driven by climate change and conflict, has forced women to adapt their livelihoods and turn to coping mechanisms such as reduced meal consumption. Many have turned to petty trading, agriculture, and vocational skills to survive the harsh economic conditions. One participant highlighted, “Women navigate economic instability by engaging in wage labor and small businesses.” Despite these interconnected barriers, the women remain hopeful for increased involvement in leadership roles and stronger legal protections against GBV. Their aspirations for greater representation in peacebuilding efforts, economic empowerment, and justice for GBV survivors continue to drive their participation in community life.

We consulted with 541 women in Nigeria for From Asking to Action. 500 women participated individually via our survey and 36 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 5 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Almost all women we spoke to in Nigeria (94%) are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years.

Women in Nigeria say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food scarcity (76%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (60%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity along with health (40%)
Meaningful Consultation

 Over the past 12 months, 76% of women in Nigeria had participated in consultations.

Of those, the most common consultation formats were:

  • Public forums or townhall meetings specifically for women (38%)
  • One-on-one interviews (32%)
  • Public forums or townhall meetings with others in the community (27%)

34% of women surveyed in Nigeria would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Nigeria when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (41%)
  • See tangible results and improvements as a result of their participation (41%)
  • Feel that their opinions are genuinely valued (37%)
Participation

84% of women in Nigeria – a notable majority – responded that they participate in community-level activities, most commonly via women’s group meetings (72%), community dialogues (38%), and advocacy and awareness campaigns (30%).

This high rate of community participation is likely related to the fact that 87% of women surveyed in Nigeria feel they can express themselves ‘very’ freely or ‘somewhat’ freely, while 96% of women ‘always’, ‘often’, or ‘sometimes’ feel safe participating in community activities.

Women in Nigeria, however, did identify some barriers and challenges and were much less likely to participate in mediation and conflict resolution activities or stand for an elected political or other leadership position. They indicated that the limitation of their roles to domestic responsibilities (51%) is one of the top three social norms that hinder women’s participation, along with discouragement of women from speaking in public (57%), and a devaluation of women’s opinions and efforts (41%).

Relatedly, 58% of women indicated that ‘community and family support’ is one of the primary support mechanisms necessary to enable their participation in public life beyond those domestic roles.

Protection

Women and girls surveyed reported their relative freedom and safety of movement in Nigeria. 87% of women reported that they can always or most of the time move around freely and safely and only 3% reported that they rarely face restrictions. This is positive to hear.

Despite this freedom of movement, violence against women in Nigeria is highly prevalent, particularly in the domestic setting. The top three forms of violence reported are:

  • Intimate partner violence (78%)
  • Denial of inheritance (50%)
  • Denial of economic empowerment (39%)

Child marriage was also specifically reported by 49% of women as being a form of violence occurring in their community.

Unemployment (70%) and poverty (69%) were the top reported drivers of violence against women, while substance abuse (51%) and a lack of education (61%) were also cited as common causes of violence.

When asked to select the top five actions that would better protect and ensure the safety of women in their community, women most frequently called for increased public awareness on women’s rights (69%) and strengthened legal frameworks and enforcement (64%).

This is unsurprising since only 25% of women reported that women ‘always’ seek help and support from security and justice institutions, likely because only 25% of women expressed that cases of violence are always handled appropriately by such institutions.

Prevention

72% of women said that either they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community.

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Nigeria reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to:

  • Lack of community or family support (53%)
  • Lack of awareness of education (49%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (42%) and fear of retaliation (41%)

It was positive to hear that most women in Nigeria (81%) would describe the current situation in their community as peaceful and secure. Only 2% of women described either constant or ongoing conflicts and frequent insecurity.

This is interesting considering that 86% of women we spoke with shared that women play a role in conflict prevention in their community, suggesting a tangible connection between peace and security and women’s participation.

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Nigeria report:

  • Advocating for peace and conflict resolution (58%)
  • Engaging in community dialogues and mediation (54%)
  • Organizing and leading women’s group meetings (54%)

They do, however, find a lack of resources and funding (66%) and insufficient education and awareness (68%) to be major barriers to preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Nigeria. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Palestine
413
individual women consulted

The war in Palestine continues to bring unimaginable suffering. Two-thirds of the tens of thousands of people killed are women and children. Two mothers are killed every hour in Gaza. Nearly two million more have been forcibly displaced and left to live without safe shelter and without enough food or clean water to survive. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has spanned decades but the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza by Israel have led to a new and deadly chapter in this war. Since October 7, 2023, with increasing violence, raids, and restrictions on people’s movements, women and their families have limited access to health and medical facilities, clean water, and essential food items. The constant bombardment of hospitals, combined with the Israeli government’s restrictions on fuel, water, and aid, has led to the collapse of the healthcare system, putting mothers and their newborns at risk of significant physical and mental harm and violating women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. Nearly 1.1 million people are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity, with famine an imminent concern in northern Gaza, exposing women and marginalized groups to additional immediate and long-term health consequences due to the hostilities. Palestine adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in 2016 for the period 2017-2019. It has recently adopted its second National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2020-2024.

The demographic data from the survey of 413 women respondents indicates that the vast majority, 412, are from Palestine, with one respondent from Syria. The age distribution shows that most women are aged 18-35 (61% of total respondents), while the remaining respondents are older with 19% in the 36-45 age group and only 9% aged 56 and above. Unemployment remains a significant issue, with 17% of respondents identifying as unemployed. However, a larger proportion of women surveyed (34%) identified as homemakers, while 22% work in the informal sector and 13% are employed in the formal sector.

The data from the key informant interviews (KIIs) highlights challenges and areas of progress for women in the region. Women’s participation in civic life is growing through advocacy, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment although cultural and socio-political barriers limit their roles, especially in conflict-affected and conservative areas. Efforts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) are centered on education and awareness-raising, particularly involving men and boys to challenge harmful social norms perpetuating and normalizing GBV. Despite these initiatives, protection for women remains insufficient due to weak legal frameworks and systemic challenges like a lack of consistent government support to implement policies like WPS. Both funding constraints and political instability hinder relief and recovery efforts. As economic conditions worsen, organizations are unable to fulfill their priorities such as providing food, shelter, and psychological support to displaced women and families. Leaders of these organizations express hope for increased international support, sustained financial resources, and greater representation of women in decision-making roles to meet the vast relief and recovery needs of people in Palestine and to empower women economically and socially.

We consulted with 422 women in Palestine for From Asking to Action. 413 women participated individually via our survey. The current security situation made it difficult to gather women in groups, so we did not conduct focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 9 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Women in Palestine are demonstrating incredible resilience, but their hope is certainly waning – especially when compared to other conflict-affected contexts. 62% of women surveyed in Palestine are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 39% of women are less hopeful and expect things to either stay the same (19%) or anticipate their situation worsening (20%).

Women in Palestine say that the top three obstacles that they worry will prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (73%%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (52%)
  • Forced displacement (49%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 32% of women we spoke to in Palestine have not participated in consultations despite the worsening security situation and the clear need for inclusive peace processes to end the ongoing conflict.

58% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so – this is not surprising since this right is under serious threat.

Consultation would also be ‘meaningful’ to women in Palestine when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (53% of women surveyed)
  • Build connections and networks with other women and stakeholders (37% of women surveyed)
  • Feel that their opinions and experiences are genuinely valued and considered (36% of women surveyed)
Participation

33% of women have not participated in any community activities. For those who have, they are most likely to have engaged in community dialogues (43%) or women’s group meetings (38%). Very few women we spoke to in Palestine had participated in mediation and conflict resolution activities (13%) or stood for an elected political or other leadership position (6%).

This low participation does not seem to be driven by women’s feelings of safety when participating in community activities. While 21% of women in Palestine reported either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ feeling their participation was safe, 79% felt safe either ‘always’, ‘often’ or ‘some of the time’. 78% of women in Palestine also feel they can express their opinions freely in the home. This illustrates the need for the international community and institutions to avoid making assumptions about women in conflict’s willingness and perceived sense of safety as a barrier to their participation in the community decisions and activities affecting their lives.

However, all women surveyed (99%) in Palestine also feel that social norms and cultural traditions restrict women’s participation. They reported this to varying degrees – 56% believe significantly so, 33% moderately so, and 10% minimally so.

The social norms they feel most restrict women’s participation are:

  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (62%)
  • Devaluing of women’s opinions and contributions (46%)
  • Stigmatization of women who participate in politics (38%) and discouragement of women from speaking out in public (38%)

Other barriers to participation cited were a lack of support from male community members (49%) and a lack of education and awareness about how and where to participate (42%).

In contrast to this, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Consulting with women on a regular basis (48%)
  • Women in more leadership positions within community decision-making structures (48%)
  • Women in more leadership positions in national organizations (39%)

Women in Palestine called for legal support and protection (57%), financial resources (56%), and community and family support (54%) to help them feel more confident participating in community activities.

Protection

46% of women in Palestine said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts specifically to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) in their community. Women were much more likely to know someone who had participated in prevention efforts (32%) than have participated themselves (12%).

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Palestine reported facing challenges in preventing VAWG, particularly due to:

  • Lack of community or family support (54%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out and risk to their reputation (53%)
  • Lack of awareness and education (48%)

When it comes to broader peace and security, 92% of women in Palestine describe the current situation as insecure, with either ‘constant’, ‘ongoing’, or even ‘occasional’ conflict. Only 7% of women describe the current situation as peaceful and secure.

In the face of this, overall, 64% of women in Palestine feel that women can play some role in conflict prevention (although 28% of women say that women do not have a role to play), with the kinds of actions they report women in their community taking including:

  • Participating in awareness and education campaigns (48%)
  • Seeking support from local authorities and institutions (41%)
  • Advocating for peace and conflict resolution (35%)

This is not without challenge, however. The women we spoke to identified a lack of resources and funding (68%), insufficient education and awareness raising (63%), and harmful cultural and social norms (59%) as barriers to their participation in conflict prevention.

To address these challenges, and further support these efforts, the women we consulted with prioritized the following as the most effective measures in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity:

  • Improving education and job opportunities (67%)
  • Promoting social cohesion (57%)
  • Enhancing legal and justice systems (52%)

They also called for further community support, legal assistance, and training and education for women to engage more in conflict prevention efforts.

Prevention

Women’s mobility is relatively good in Palestine, with only 15% of women reporting that women and girls are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Violence against women is, however, highly prevalent with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (72%)
  • Denial of women’s inheritance (68%)
  • Denial of women’s economic empowerment (62%)

68% of women surveyed told us that they think child marriage is being practiced in their community and – of that 68% – almost half (41%) thought it was common practice.

Despite reporting such a high incidence of violence against women, 50% of the women consulted in Palestine said that women in their community either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ seek protection or support from formal mechanisms and institutions dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. police, legal aid, community welfare groups, etc.). 33% said women ‘sometimes’ seek support. Only 4% said women ‘always’ seek support.

Unemployment was the top reported driver of violence against women (65%). Fear of retaliation (27%) and social stigma (29%) were the main reasons that women shared that they do not think women seek help or protection from such violence. However, these levels of response for stigma and fear of retaliation were comparatively much lower than in the other countries we surveyed.

70% of women surveyed in Palestine called for action to increase public awareness and education on women’s rights, while 64% of women felt that that legal frameworks and enforcement need to be strengthened. This is unsurprising, given that 50% of women surveyed in Palestine said that cases of violence were ineffectively handled.

Woman engaging with the consultation process in Palestine. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Poland
139
individual women consulted

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has shattered the lives of millions of people. Since the invasion began, almost 6.5 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, creating one of the world’s fastest and largest human displacement crises since World War II. Two years later, women and children make up the majority of those internally displaced and faced with starting a new life in neighboring countries. Women survivors of sexual violence and those who have been displaced are finding it difficult to come to terms with their trauma. They need urgent psychological and medical help as well as vital practical support to rebuild their lives. For example, nearly one million Ukrainian refugees live in Poland and 41% of them are school-age children. By September 2022, more than 1.3 million Ukrainians had registered for temporary protection in Poland under an EU directive that automatically granted them – unlike other refugees – the right to live, work, and access services. Poland adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in 2018 for the period 2018-2021, and then updated this NAP to extend it until 2023.

The survey involved 232 Ukrainian women respondents from a variety of countries, with a significant number residing in Ukraine (53%) and Poland (29%). We spoke to 109 displaced women as part of this survey, 61% of whom reside in Poland.  Smaller groups of Ukrainian women participated from countries like Germany, Norway, Canada, and other European nations. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to over 56 years, with the majority between 36 and 45 years (40%) and 46 to 55 years (16%). Regarding occupation, 33% were officially employed, 26% were unemployed, and 19% worked in unofficial roles, with business owners making up 7%. Most participants (64%) had higher education degrees, while only a small percentage had primary or secondary education. In terms of marital status, 52% were married, 20% were unmarried, 14% were divorced, and 8% were widowed.

The data from the focus group discussions (FGDs) emphasize Ukrainian women’s sense of exclusion from decision-making processes. While just 3% of women reported that social norms did significantly impact their participation, 46% felt that social norms ‘moderately’ impacted their participation while the remaining 51% of women indicated that social norms impacted either minimally or not at all. Despite this, they still felt isolated and powerless in both their host communities and within broader political contexts. Many expressed frustrations at being unable to influence decisions in their home country, Poland, or in other host countries where they felt like outsiders. Economic instability was a significant driver of vulnerability, with many women struggling to secure jobs or financial independence. This lack of economic opportunity also heightened their exposure to exploitation and made it difficult for them to engage in leadership or community initiatives. Despite these challenges, the women remained hopeful that through access to training, capacity-building programs, and economic empowerment, they could begin to recover and reclaim their independence.

We consulted with 139 displaced Ukrainian women for From Asking to Action. 109 women participated individually via our survey and 30 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Just 14% of displaced Ukrainian women living outside of Ukraine shared with us that they have hope that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 7% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 79% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Displaced Ukrainian women say that the top three obstacles they expect will prevent an improvement to their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (63%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (78%)
  • Forced displacement (60%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months,100% of the displaced Ukrainian women living outside of Ukraine have participated in some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives. The majority of these consultations have been through surveys or questionnaires (89%) but women have also engaged with FGDs (42%), individual interviews (48%) and other formats.

For Ukrainian women living in host communities to them meaningful consultation is when they can see tangible changes, results and improvements as a result of their involvement, they also shared that consultation for them is when they feel safe and when they feel “really heard”.

Participation

Women surveyed presented an interesting outlook of women’s participation in community activities, with 52% of women responding that they often feel safe to participate in community activities. We asked women if they felt social norms restricted their participation, 44% of women shared social norms have either minimal impact or no impact at all.

24% of women shared that social norms don’t impact their participation at all but for those that shared social norms impacted participation the most significant were:

  • The devaluing of women’s opinions and contributions (35%)
  • Women not speaking in public (11%)
  • Career expectations (23%)

Despite this, 45% of women surveyed shared that they don’t participate in any community activities. For them to feel more confident participating in community activities, their top priorities are:

  • 92% of women felt they needed more financial support in order to participate in community activities
  • 83% of women called for increased legal support and protection with advocacy support
  • 41% of women called for more training and capacity building
Protection

95% of Ukrainian displaced women living in host countries shared that they believe women and girls always move freely and safely in their communities, this is likely due to the majority of women being displaced from Ukraine to countries that do not experience the direct effects of conflict.

Violence against women does impact Ukrainian displaced women living in host communities with the top forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (23%)
  • Harassment (24%)
  • Psychological violence (73%).

It is also worth noting that 27% of women felt they weren’t impacted by violence at all.

While child marriage is a major form of violence against women and girls in conflict-affected contexts, displaced Ukrainian women living in host communities did not report it as a risk for them. 97% of respondents shared that child marriage is not practiced in their communities.

Prevention

When it comes to reporting violence against women and girls, 28% of women said they think that support and justice mechanisms are either ineffective or very ineffective with significant delays. 57% of women said they think the reporting mechanisms are effective but there are still delays in response.

57% of women also said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. It is therefore noteworthy that a number of women reported facing challenges in attempting to participate in GBV prevention efforts, particularly due to:

  • Insufficient resources (47 %)
  • Fear of retaliation (28%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (20%)

When asked about the role that women play in preventing conflict, 77% of women agreed that they have a role to play in prevention. This ranged from 7% who said women have an important role, to 20% who asserted that women had a minor role, and 42% who shared that women have a moderate role to play in conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Poland. Photo credit: Women for Women International
South Sudan
845
individual women consulted

The youngest country in the world, South Sudan’s short history has been marked by political instability. Just two years after South Sudan’s independence in 2011, tensions between ethnic groups and news of an attempted coup led to violent clashes that quickly escalated into a civil war in 2013. The fighting intensified once more in 2016; by 2018, over 400,000 casualties were reported due to clashes born from political violence. The combination of ongoing intercommunal conflict, floods, drought, and famine compounded the impacts of the civil war and also eroded social and family structures.  Of the 9 million people estimated to be in ‘critical need’ in 2024, 24% are women. For women and girls, the worsening climate and deforestation place a greater risk on their safety, as they travel to forests in search of firewood to sell and cook with. Yet for many women, firewood is necessary for their livelihoods and to support their families. For generations, South Sudanese women have come of age during conflict and are targeted by armed groups for rape and physical violence.  Most perpetrators go unpunished for their crimes and survivors of physical and sexual violence are highly unlikely to receive justice or supportive services for their horrific ordeals. South Sudan adopted its first Women, Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plan (NAP) in 2015 covering the period 2015-2020.

The surveys in South Sudan included 683 women respondents, all South Sudanese nationals. The largest age group represented was 26-35 years (40%), followed by 18-25 (30%) and 36-45 (21%). A smaller proportion of respondents were over 46 years old (9%). When asked about their occupations, it was clear that most women surveyed were not participating in income-generating activities or occupations with many women indicating that they are homemakers (26%), unemployed (16%), or engaged in subsistence farming (14%). However, 22% of women did indicate that they are business owners, 6% of women surveyed are employed in the formal sector, and 4% are employed in the informal sector. The education levels of the respondents varied, with most having completed only primary education (34%) or no formal education at all (28%), while fewer had attained secondary education (27%) or tertiary education (8%). Marital status also varied, with the majority being married (70%), and smaller percentages either single (13%), divorced/separated (10%), or widowed (6%).

The FGDs highlighted critical findings around women’s participation, protection, and hopes for the future. Participation in community decision-making is limited due to cultural norms, male dominance, and lack of confidence, though some women engage indirectly through savings groups and family decisions. Gender-based violence (GBV) emerged as a pervasive issue, with few formal mechanisms for justice and survivors primarily seeking help from family or local leaders. Displaced women face severe challenges, including lack of shelter, healthcare, and food, compounded by trauma and family separation. Economic instability and climate change worsened security and created barriers to women’s recovery and empowerment. However, there was a strong sense of hope for greater participation in peacebuilding, gender equality, and economic empowerment. Women expressed aspirations for leadership roles, better infrastructure, and stronger legal frameworks to support their efforts in fostering peace and security in their communities.

We consulted with 847 women in South Sudan for From Asking to Action. 683 women participated individually via our survey and 162 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from two women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

99% of women we spoke to in South Sudan are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years, with just 1% thinking it will worsen.

Women in South Sudan say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (72%)
  • Food scarcity (60%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (36%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 31% of women surveyed in South Sudan have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

50% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in South Sudan when they:

  • Know that women impacted by conflict have been included in the design of a consultation (57% of women)
  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (48% of women)
Participation

Social norms constrain women’s participation in South Sudan, with 24% saying they significantly impact participation and 40% saying they moderately impact it. The kinds of social norms reported to most impact women’s participation are:

  • Discouraging women from speaking out in public (69%)
  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (60%)
  • Devaluing women’s opinions and contributions (57%)

The other common barriers to women’s participation reported by women in South Sudan are a lack of awareness about women’s rights to participate (67%) and knowledge of how to participate (65%).

Despite these barriers, a majority (75%) of women also say that their community is somewhat or very accepting of women participating in political activities or running for office, and 52% often or always feel safe participating in community activities.

The types of activities women most frequently reported participating in were:

  • Women’s group meetings (67%)
  • Community dialogues (38%)
  • Advocacy and awareness campaigns (35%)

To feel more confident participating in community activities in the future, women expressed a need for:

  • Training and capacity building (88%)
  • Legal support and protection (58%)
  • Support to participate in advocacy efforts (57%)
Protection

Violence against women and girls is highly prevalent in South Sudan, with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (71%)
  • Child marriage (66%)
  • Forced marriage (61%)

Safety concerns also affect women’s mobility, although to varying degrees. Over a quarter (27%) of women report that women and girls (VAWG) are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community, while 31% report that they ‘mostly’ or ‘always’ can.

When VAWG occurs, it seems again that women in South Sudan are quite split in their responses as to whether women will seek support from available services, with 40% saying women will often or always seek help from formal institutions (police, legal aid, community welfare groups, etc.), while 21% say they ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ will. This may be partly because cases appear to be often handled at the community level – 70% of women consulted said that cases are effectively or very effectively handled at the community level.

Women’s key recommendations for improving their safety and protection are:

  • Increasing public awareness and education on women’s rights (79%)
  • Improving the presence of security and law enforcement (64%)
  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (55%)
Prevention

We consulted with women experiencing varying levels of insecurity in South Sudan – 28.5% reported it was very or frequently insecure in their community; 57% said it was somewhat peaceful but with occasional security issues; and 14.5% said it was mostly or very peaceful and secure.

Overall, women feel that they can play some role in conflict prevention with only 14% saying women do not play any role. They mainly describe women in their community taking action through engagement in community dialogues and mediation (55%); advocating for peace (60%); seeking support from local authorities and institutions (60%); participating in awareness and education campaigns (54%); and organizing or leading women’s group meetings (54%). Amongst the women consulted, a significant proportion (33%) had directly participated in prevention efforts themselves.

In terms of the best methods to prevent conflict and insecurity, women in South Sudan prioritized the following:

  • Promotion of gender equality and women’s rights (82%)
  • Improving education and job opportunities (67%)
  • Promoting social cohesion (57%)
  • Strengthening local governance (55%)
  • Enhancing legal and justice systems (52%)

When talking about violence against women and girls specifically, consultation participants felt that to advocate against this, they most needed training and education (96%), community support (77%), and financial resources (64%).

 

Women engaging with the consultation process in South Sudan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Sudan
304
individual women consulted

On April 15, 2023, violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in Khartoum, Sudan. The outbreak of conflict and deadly clashes spreading around the country destabilized regions still recovering from war and political instability. Sudan is now experiencing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, hosting 13% of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally, currently the largest displacement crisis worldwide. Women describe detainment and rampant sexual abuse as militias invade the homes of families amid widespread death and fighting. The fighting has claimed the lives of more than 18,000 civilians, with 33,000 individuals sustaining injuries, and uprooted over 10.7 million people, including more than 1.5 million who have fled to neighboring countries like Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. Thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire, including women and children, are facing dehydration, hunger, and deteriorating health due to scarcity of water, food supplies, limited access to healthcare, and electricity outages. As of July 2024, almost 25 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, and over half the population faces acute hunger. There is famine in North Darfur, particularly in IDP camps like Zamzam, which was also bombarded by the SAF. Obstruction of humanitarian aid and bombardment of hospitals by both parties threaten even more lives. Sudan adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in March 2020 for the period 2020-2022.

The respondents for the survey, all from Sudan and mainly based in Al Qadarif, span diverse age groups and occupations. Most respondents (57%) are between the ages of 18 and 35, with 29% aged 18-25 and 28% aged 26-35. Smaller portions of respondents are between 36-45 (25%), 46-55 (10%), and 56 and above (6%). Most respondents are either housewives (32%) or unemployed (23%), reflecting the socioeconomic realities of limited incomes for many women in conflict-affected regions. Educational backgrounds are varied with almost half (48%) having attained higher education, followed by 26% with secondary education, while 16% completed primary education. A small number of respondents had no formal education (4%). Marital status is nearly evenly split between single (39%) and married (47%) women, with smaller numbers identifying as divorced, widowed, or the wife of a missing/disappeared person.

The key informant interviews (KIIs) provide a comprehensive understanding of the work and challenges faced by women-led organizations in Sudan like Sudanese Organisation for Research and Development (SORD). SORD focuses on gender-responsive reforms, advocating for women’s participation in public and private life despite restrictive socio-cultural norms and government policies. Their work spans areas like legal aid, psychosocial support, and violence prevention, particularly addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict settings. Collaboration with men and boys is a crucial strategy in shifting harmful norms and building a more inclusive movement for gender equality. SORD emphasizes meaningful consultation via inclusive, accessible spaces for women and marginalized groups in conflict zones in their programs and advocacy. Despite facing significant funding and power dynamic challenges from international actors, SORD remains resilient. They advocate for more direct, flexible, and core support for local organizations and highlight the urgent need for inclusive, grassroots-led peace processes to prevent further fragmentation and conflict and build a long-lasting peace.

We consulted with 305 women in Sudan for From Asking to Action. 204 women participated individually via our survey and 100 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted an in-depth key informant interview with staff from one women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

80% of women we spoke to in Sudan are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years, while 19% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Sudan say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (63%)
  • Food scarcity (47%)
  • Forced displacement (42%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, just over half of women surveyed in Sudan (51%) have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

33% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so. Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Sudan when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (41%)
  • Know that conflict-affected women participated in designing the consultation process (39%)
  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (28%)
Participation

Women in Sudan reported that the greatest barriers to their participation in community life are:

  • Harmful cultural norms and traditions (42%)
  • Lack of education and awareness of women’s right to participate (39%)
  • Lack of education and awareness about how and where to participate (39%)

When exploring this in more depth, the social norms or traditions that women felt most suppress their voice are:

  • Preventing women from speaking out (47%)
  • Restriction of women’s role to domestic responsibilities (39%)
  • Stigmatization of women who participate in political life (33%)
  • Women’s opinions and contributions being diminished (33%)
  • Women being expected to prioritize family over career (31%)

These challenges may be further compounded by safety concerns – with 36% of women reporting rarely or never feeling safe when participating in community activities – as well as by economic factors, particularly their limited access to educational opportunities, reduced decision-making power, and financial dependence on others.

Despite these challenges, the consultation found that roughly a quarter of women had participated in each of these community activities: mediation and conflict resolution (27%); advocacy and awareness campaigns (22%); community dialogues (25%); and women’s group meetings (25%).

Women identified the following as the most important methods for ensuring women’s representation, participation, and leadership:

  • Having more women in leadership positions within community decision-making structures (45%), international organizations (31%) and national organizations (30%)
  • Consulting with women regularly (41%)
  • Regular participation of women in community meetings and forums (29%)
Protection

Overall, women in Sudan are facing high levels of insecurity with 62% saying their community is ‘very’ or ‘often’ insecure. Women experience varied levels of mobility, with 18% reporting women and girls can always move freely and safely in their community, while 56% say they can do so only sometimes and 15% report they never can.

The most common forms of violence that those consulted felt women in their community experience are:

  • Intimate partner violence (89%)
  • Rape (57%)
  • Psychological violence (51%)

Further compounding these challenges, a majority of women (54%) felt that cases of violence against women and girls are dealt with ineffectively or very ineffectively. 29% reported that cases are dealt with effectively but with some delay, while only 16% felt they are handled very effectively.

The most important actions that women said should be taken to ensure the protection and safety of women in their community are:

  • Increasing public awareness and education about women’s rights (59%)
  • Strengthening and enforcing legal frameworks (50%)
  • Providing more shelters and safe spaces for women (46%)

Women felt that communities and local, national, and international organizations can best support women to tackle VAWG by:

  • Conducting awareness-raising campaigns (64%)
  • Providing financial support (53%)
  • Providing legal assistance (51%)
Prevention

Women in Sudan appear to be active in efforts to prevent VAWG in their community, with 57% of those consulted reporting that they or someone they know has been involved in efforts. When it comes to wider conflict prevention, opinions are more split, with 22% of women surveyed saying that women in their community play no role in preventing conflicts, while 46% say women play a major or moderate role.

The types of actions women are reported to take to avoid conflict escalation are:

  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (60%)
  • Participate in community dialogues and mediation (32%)
  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (28%)
  • Organize and lead women’s group meetings (28%)

When asked which measures they consider to be the most effective in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity, women prioritized the following:

  • Promoting gender equality and women’s rights (53%)
  • Strengthening legal and justice systems (47%)
  • Improving education and employment opportunities (46%)
Women engaging with the consultation process in Sudan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Syria
257
individual women consulted

A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria over ten years ago evolved into a full-scale civil war. The violent clash between government-backed forces and protesters has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, devastated cities and forced the flight of millions of Syrians to safety. With this resurgence of violence in Syria, women and girls are more vulnerable to brutality, sexual violence, and conditions of extreme poverty. According to OCHA, 4.2 million people are in need in north-west Syria; 3.6 million people are food-insecure; 3.5 million people are internally displaced, with 2 million IDPs living in camps; and 1 million children are out-of-school. For 10 years, Syria was the world’s largest refugee crisis. On February 6, 2023, an earthquake in Turkey and Syria claimed the lives of over 56,000 civilians and left millions without homes. The devastation created by the earthquake exacerbates the daily challenges affecting women and girls already amid the ongoing civil war. The Associated Press reported that 7 million women and girls were already in need of support for their health, and against physical and sexual violence before the earthquake. Syria has not developed or adopted a Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP).

The consultation process with Syrian women, which included 257 respondents, revealed several key demographic insights. Most women surveyed reside in the Idlib governorate (64%), and others live in Aleppo (9%) and the Damascus countryside (9%). A majority of the women (48%) are aged 26-35 and most (65%) are married. Educational levels were relatively high, with 57% having completed higher education. The higher levels of education did not translate to higher levels of formal income as 33% of respondents identified as housewives and only 17% were employed in the formal sector. This reflects the broader impact of conflict on women’s participation in the workforce. Many women reported facing significant barriers to participation in public and political life, primarily due to restrictive social norms. These norms discourage women from speaking publicly (53%) and limit their roles to domestic responsibilities (67%). Despite these barriers, women expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in decision-making, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive reforms in both public life and civic engagement.

The key informant interviews (KIIs) reinforced these findings, underscoring the challenges women face in participating in peacebuilding and leadership activities. Women’s rights organizations (WROs) have implemented community-based strategies to increase women’s participation, but logistical challenges, such as mobility restrictions and household responsibilities, continue to hinder involvement. In terms of protection, women emphasized the importance of strengthening legal frameworks, increasing public awareness, and providing safe spaces. Gender-based violence remains a pressing issue, with a significant portion of respondents calling for more shelters and services to support survivors. In the realm of relief and recovery, access to comprehensive healthcare, economic empowerment programs, and education were identified as critical needs. Despite the ongoing conflict and displacement, 64% of women expressed hope for a better future, focusing on the end of conflict and the reconstruction of their communities.

We consulted with 258 women in Syria for From Asking to Action. 257 women participated individually via our survey. The current security situation made it difficult to gather women in groups, so we did not conduct focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

64% of women we spoke to in Syria are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 22% of women surveyed expect things to stay the same and 14% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Syria say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (70%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (59%)
  • Forced displacement (42%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 88% of the women surveyed in Syria have participated some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives. The most common type of consultation women in Syria engage with are focus group discussions (47%).

46% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Syria when they:

  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process, or were involved themselves (74%)
  • Feeling that my opinions and experiences are genuinely valued and considered (43%)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of the engagement (42%)
Participation

While 21% of women in Syria reported that they do not participate in any community activities, 46% of women surveyed participate in community dialogues, 44% in advocacy and awareness campaigns, and 42% in mediation and conflict resolution.

This level of participation is likely to be connected to the fact that 35% of women surveyed in Syria ‘often’ feel safe when participating in community activities and 45% reported ‘sometimes’ feeling safe. It is worth also recognizing that 9% of women reported that they ‘never’ (2%) or ‘rarely’ (7%) felt safe participating in community activities.

Almost all women surveyed in Syria feel that social norms limit women’s participation to varying degrees with 31% of women believing ‘significantly’ so, 54% ‘moderately’ so, and 15% ‘slightly’ so.

The social norms they identified as most restricting women’s participation in Syria:

  • The discouragement of women speaking up in public forums (50%)
  • Restrictions on women’s access to education and leadership (45%)
  • Denying women the right to inherit land or property (39%)
  • Excluding women from community meetings or initiatives (34%)

In contrast, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Increased legal support and protection (72%)
  • Consulting with women on a regular basis (42%)
  • Training and capacity building (71%)
Protection

For the women we surveyed in Syria mobility is somewhat restricted, with over half of women (51%) reporting they ‘sometimes’ feel safe to move freely in their community. 14% of women shared they ‘rarely’ feel safe to move in their community, and 34% of women most of the time feel safe to move freely in their community.

Violence against women is also prevalent in Syria with the top forms of violence reported as:

  • Intimate partner violence (77%)
  • Denial of women’s inheritance (including farmland) (48%)
  • Sexual exploitation or abuse (47%
  • Denial of women’s economic empowerment(43%).

73% of women in Syria reported that unemployment is a key driver of violence against women, along with alcohol abuse (60%) and harmful social norms and cultural traditions (53%). 100% of women agreed that child marriage is a common problem in Syria, likely also related to both the circumstances of poverty and social norms.

Despite reporting a high incidence of violence against women, not all women reported regularly seeking protection support from formal mechanisms and institutions in dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. policy, legal aid, community welfare groups etc.). 33% of women ‘rarely’ seek protection support and 54% only sometimes seek support.  Only 3% of those surveyed said women always seek support.

Women in Syria reported that stigma related to violence against women is the top reason that women do not seek help or protection against such violence (76%). 61% of women also reported a lack of awareness of rights preventing women from seeking support from security mechanisms.

Prevention

30% of women said that they had never participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, but 24% said they had personally participated in efforts, 36% said someone they know has participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, and 11% said they had personally participated and knew someone else who participated.

Women in Syria shared the challenges they’ve faced in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls:

  • Stigma against women who speak out and risk to their reputation (97%)
  • Insufficient resources(75%)
  • Lack of awareness and education(73%)

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Syria report that they:

  • Seek support from local authorities and institutions (81%)
  • Engage in community dialogues and mediation(73%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (69%)
  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (64%)
  • Form alliances with other community groups (61%)

81% of women confirmed that women in their community play a role in conflict prevention, either a key role (3%), a moderate role (18%), or a small role (60%).

Women surveyed in Syria believe that the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights (80%) and enhancing legal and justice systems (74%) are most effective in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Woman engaging with the consultation process in Syria. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Ukraine
153
individual women consulted

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, almost 6.5 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, making this the world’s fastest and one of the largest human displacement crises since World War II. Two years later, women and children make up the majority of those internally displaced and faced with starting a new life in neighboring countries. According to OCHA, about 40% of Ukraine’s population – some 14.6 million people – will need humanitarian assistance in 2024. Around 3.7 million people are internally displaced. Allegations of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine are commonplace. Women survivors of sexual violence and those who have been displaced are finding it difficult to come to terms with their trauma. They need urgent psychological and medical help and vital practical support to rebuild their lives. Women are at the forefront of the emergency response, as well as active in peacebuilding, mediation, and monitoring of the human rights situation. Their work is carried out against a backdrop of increasing gender-based violence of all forms, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and trafficking, resulting from the multiple and intersecting impacts of the conflict, including lack of access to services, livelihoods, increased caregiving obligations, and lack of access to adequate shelter. Ukraine published a second National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2020-2025 after its first NAP, for the period 2016-2020, ended.

The survey involved 123 participants from Ukraine. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to over 56 years, with the majority between 36 and 45 years (34%) and 46 to 55 years (30%). Regarding occupation, 37% were officially employed, 14% were unemployed, and 16% worked in unofficial roles, with business owners making up 12%. Most participants (71%) had higher education degrees, while only a small percentage had primary or secondary education. In terms of marital status, 60% were married, and 13% were unmarried, while 1% were divorced, and 7% were widowed.

In focus group discussions (FGDs), the women highlighted the significant barriers they faced due to their status as an internally displaced person (IDP), particularly in decision-making and civic engagement. They expressed frustration at being marginalized by host communities, with local authorities often excluding them from meaningful participation in governance and the locals seeing them as outsiders. Financial pressures, such as working multiple jobs to afford rent, leaves them unable to engage in leadership or community activities. Despite these challenges, some women proposed self-organizing into self-help groups specifically for IDP women to advocate for their rights. Additionally, gender-based violence was a recurring issue that exacerbates their vulnerability. However, because of their shaky status as IDPs, distrust of local authorities, and a fear of social stigma, many women do not report incidents of GBV. One woman describes, “I faced harassment at work, but I stayed quiet because I need the job.” Women’s economic insecurity is described as intimately connected to women’s vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. Despite losing their homes and livelihoods due to war, many women reported significant challenges in accessing basic services, including housing, healthcare, and psychological support. Many women emphasize the need for women’s economic empowerment programs and livelihood support as a foundation for rebuilding their lives, but also call for long-term solutions that go beyond immediate humanitarian aid and focus on sustainable development and inclusive peacebuilding.

We consulted with 153 women in Ukraine for From Asking to Action. 123 women participated individually via our survey and 30 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

46% of Ukrainian women surveyed shared with us that they are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 14% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 41% anticipate their situation worsening.

Ukrainian women referenced a range of obstacles that they expect to prevent an improvement to their quality of life with war, conflict, and danger being the most significant at 95% and loss of economic opportunity and forced displacement also ranking high.

Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 87% of Ukrainian women have participated in some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

For Ukrainian women, ‘meaningful’ consultation means “When you get a clear direction for action, confirmed by your own judgment and feelings” and “one that has certain results: a resolution, a further action plan, the development of current plans, strategic programs, both individual and scaled.” Ukrainian women also referenced key principles for meaningful consultation including a consultation tailored to the needs of the people engaging with it.

Participation

Women surveyed presented an interesting outlook on women’s participation in community activities, with 29% of women responding that they ‘often’ feel safe to participate in community activities and 28% feeling either ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ safe to participate in community activities, the remaining 36% ‘sometimes’ feel safe and 6% ‘always’ feel safe. We asked women if they felt social norms restricted their participation, and 80% of women indicated that social norms have either a ‘moderate’ or ‘substantial’ impact on women’s opportunities and participation in public life.

Women’s views on the impact of social norms on women’s participate in public life correlate with women’s freedom of expression inside their homes. 65% of women surveyed shared that they could ‘somewhat’ freely express their opinions with 15% sharing they could ‘minimally’ express their opinions, 17% could ‘often’ express their opinions. These findings could suggest that social norms and practices that impact women’s participation are embedded in both the domestic and public spheres in Ukraine.

Despite this, 13% of women surveyed shared that they don’t participate in any community activities. While some women reported participating in women’s group meetings, it is important to contextualize these figures amidst broader social trends for women living in Ukraine. For example, 79% of women surveyed shared that there is not an equal division of family and childcare responsibilities, but rather that women are responsible for a greater share of those responsibilities. Similarly, 40% of women surveyed shared that they have limited control over their personal or household finances and instead their husbands or the men in their life take control over financial decisions.

Protection

74% of Ukrainian displaced women shared that they believe women and girls always move freely and safely in their communities for the most part with 20% stating just sometimes and 6% sharing they never move freely.

41% of women surveyed in Ukraine shared that they have not been impacted by violence against women. This number was contextualized in interviews with the insight that many women express hesitancy to report or seek support for gender-based violence or intimate partner violence during war because they do not perceive it as important enough to prioritize within the broader context of active warfare.

While child marriage can be a form of violence practiced against women and girls in conflict-affected contexts, Ukrainian women did not report it as a risk for them. 98% of respondents shared that child marriage is not practiced in their communities.

Prevention

While 41% of women surveyed indicated not being impacted by violence, most women surveyed did not express much trust in the support and reporting mechanisms available for women experiencing gender-based violence. 71% of women said they think that such mechanisms are either ineffective or very ineffective with significant delays in response or achieving justice. 28% of women said they think the reporting mechanisms are effective but there are still delays in response.

43% of women also said that they had never participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. It is therefore noteworthy that a number of women reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to insufficient resources, lack of awareness and education as well as a fear of retaliation.

When asked about the role that women play in preventing conflict, 87% of women agreed that they have a role to play in prevention with 6% who said women have an ‘important’ role, 47% saying women have a ‘minor’ role, and 34% who shared that women have a ‘moderate’ role to play in conflict prevention. Only 10% of women surveyed shared that women don’t have a role to play in conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Ukraine. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Afghanistan
individual women consulted

Afghanistan today reflects the most serious women’s rights crisis in the world, ranking 177 out of 177 countries on the Women’s Peace and Security Index. Since taking power in 2021, the de facto authorities have subjected Afghan women to exceedingly restrictive policies that infringe on their rights – including banning women from secondary and higher education, working for NGOs, political and social participation, access to public spaces such as parks, and in some places a ban on them leaving the house without a mahram (close male relative required to act as a chaperone). Economic insecurity, sexual violence, and a lack of healthcare services and supplies are pervasive challenges facing Afghan women following the breakdown of their freedoms and protections. 23.7 million people, almost 80% of whom are women and children, require humanitarian aid; 13.3 million people need gender-based violence (GBV) services; and one-third of Afghans are projected to face emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 or above) in 2024, disproportionately affecting women and girls. In February 2023, UNESCO reported that 2.5 million school-aged girls and young women were not attending school. The ban in 2022 by the de facto government saw 1.2 million denied access to college and secondary schools.

We consulted with 985 women in Afghanistan for From Asking to Action. 863 women participated individually via our survey and 112 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 10 women-led organizations.

The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and surveys conducted in Afghanistan involved a diverse group of women and generated qualitative and quantitative insights. In the FGDs, 112 women from Kabul and Nangarhar participated. These women represented a range of demographics including clinic workers, students, house-headed women, widows, and mothers. Of the 863 women surveyed, 53% were married, 38% were single, and 7% were widowed. The largest age group represented in the survey was 18-25 years old (39%), followed by those aged 26-35 (28.5%). Educational backgrounds varied, with 30% having tertiary education and 29% having completed secondary school, and 21% having no formal education at all. Occupations ranged from homemakers (34.9%) and unemployed women (33%) to those few employed in formal and informal sectors despite the bans on women from most fields of work, highlighting the socioeconomic diversity of the respondents.

This intentional diversity of demographic characteristics ensured that a broad perspective on the challenges faced by Afghan women was represented. Key themes from the FGDs highlighted the significant barriers to women’s participation in decision-making, such as social norms, family opposition, and women’s lack of education.

Despite these obstacles, there was a clear desire for greater representation and access to leadership opportunities. GBV was another critical issue in which women described insufficient resources for survivors and a cultural reluctance to seek help. However, the Afghan women surveyed also expressed optimism for the future and voiced hopes for increased access to education, community involvement, and enhanced security. Their aspirations underscored the need for systemic change and targeted support to enable women to fully contribute to peace and development in their communities.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Despite the immense challenges that women in Afghanistan are facing, they still have hope for the future. 89% of women surveyed are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 7% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 4% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Afghanistan say that the top three obstacles that they worry will prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • Violence against women (55%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (41%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 70% of women in Afghanistan have not participated in consultations.

41% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so – this is not surprising since this right is under serious threat.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Afghanistan when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (34% of women surveyed)
  • Know that women have been involved in the design of the consultation process (31% of women surveyed)
  • Build connections and networks with other women and stakeholders, and feel that their participation is safe and empowering (31% of women surveyed)
Participation

Over half of the women (59%) we spoke to had not participated in any activities in their communities – and the same percentage of women reported not feeling safe to do so. In fact, only 5% of women reported always feeling safe participating in community activities.

Of those who had participated in community activities, 27% had participated in women’s group meetings. It is positive to see that at least some women we spoke to in Afghanistan are still able to find spaces for solidarity and support. However, when it came to more public-facing community activities, only 13% of women reported participating in advocacy and awareness campaigns and 10% of women had participated in community dialogues.

74% of women in Afghanistan identified legal protection as the main support they need to facilitate women’s participation – an overwhelming majority. This is unsurprising given the recent rise in formal edicts by the de facto authorities that heavily restrict women’s participation in public life. 57% requested financial resources and 56% requested training and capacity strengthening support.

While the rise in formal edicts against women’s rights is a serious hindrance to women’s rights and participation, 97% of the women we consulted in Afghanistan also believe that social norms continue to restrict women’s participation (61% believe significantly so, 27% moderately so and 9% minimally so). Over half of the women that we spoke to – 56% – felt that one of the top social norms or traditions restricting women’s participation in Afghanistan was women being discouraged from speaking in public.

Protection

When asked whether women and girls always move around freely in their community, only 13% of women said they do all or most of the time. In contrast to this, 86% of women said either occasionally (34%), rarely (37%), or never (15%).

Violence against women is highly prevalent in Afghanistan, with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Forced marriage (70%)
  • Intimate partner violence (61%)
  • Psychological violence (61%)

This was thought to mostly be a result of unemployment (reported by 79% of women), lack of education (71% of women) and poverty (71% of women).

72% of women believe that child marriage is being practiced in their community, with 59% of women reporting that they think the frequency of child community is either common or very common.

77% of women either rarely (41%) or never (36%) seek help from institutions to address the violence they face. This is largely due to:

  • Social stigma (61%)
  • Fear of retaliation (56%)
  • A lack of trust in those institutions (50%)

Most women say issues of violence against women are handled ineffectively and with significant delays (48%) or ineffectively and often not addressed at all (32%), likely contributing to the lack of trust in such institutions.

Prevention

67% of women said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. Only 9% of women we spoke to in Afghanistan said they had personally participated.

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Afghanistan reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to a lack of community or family support (54% of women); fear of retaliation (52% of women), and stigma against women who speak out and risks to their reputation (46% of women).

When asked specifically about the role that women in their community play in preventing conflict, only 4% of the women we spoke to in Afghanistan said that women play a major role, while 54% of women surveyed said that women do not play any role at all.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Afghanistan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Bangladesh
individual women consulted

More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar were chased from their homes by the army and allied militias in 2017 and during recent crackdowns. The Rohingya refugees’ accounts of rape, murder, and mutilation continue to shock the world. The 600,000 stateless Rohingya remaining in Myanmar face discrimination and overwhelming human rights abuses. Women and girls are especially at risk.

Since August 2017, Myanmar has forced over 700,000 Rohingya refugees – mostly women and children – into makeshift communities at the border of neighboring Bangladesh. As of April 2024, roughly 961,000 Rohingya refugees – over half of whom are women and girls – reside in camps Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char Island in Bangladesh. A decline in humanitarian funding and the absence of livelihood opportunities for refugees present the risk of an acute humanitarian crisis emerging again in Cox’s Bazar, exposing women and girls to heightened risk of vulnerability on top of the protracted crisis they find themselves in.

While local women’s rights organizations are well positioned through their contextual knowledge and networks to contribute to the humanitarian response, this is also at risk as resources decline. Restrictive gender norms and the lack of formal mechanisms to ensure women’s representation and influence in decision-making continue to limit women’s agency and voice in refugee camps and the host community and imperil their safety. Gender-based violence incidents are on the rise and refugees are increasingly resorting to negative coping mechanisms, including child marriage and polygamy and falling victim to trafficking. Women and girls with disabilities in both the camps and host communities remain at higher risk of marginalization and abuse due to stigma and discrimination. Bangladesh adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2019-2022.

The majority of our From Asking to Action consultation with Rohingya women took place in Myanmar itself. We did, however, engage with 58 Rohingya refugee women participants in Bangladesh through 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) to more comprehensively reflect the experience of Rohingya women. During those FGDs, a range of critical issues related to displacement, gender-based violence (GBV), and social inclusion were explored. Of the attendees, 46 were identified as low-income and 33 had low literacy levels. Most participants (35) were under the age of 35, while 23 were older. Discussions highlighted the need for educational and leadership opportunities to empower women, with participants actively engaging despite these constraints.

The sessions revealed significant challenges in accessing justice for GBV due to cultural norms, fear of retaliation, and inadequate legal protections. Women rely on community leaders, health centers, and friends for help, but emphasized a need for more access to legal aid, counseling, and education. Economic instability – exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and ongoing conflict – disproportionately affected women by creating food insecurity and limiting livelihood opportunities. Despite these hardships, participants expressed hope for the future and aspire to take on more leadership roles in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. Women emphasized the importance of being involved in meaningful consultations where their voices would be heard and actions would be taken to address their concerns, particularly in the economic empowerment and relief from ongoing displacement.

Hopes for the future

Rohingya women who participated in the FGDs shared their hopes for the future:

  • Larger roles for women to play in peace and security efforts in the future
  • Leadership opportunities for women
  • Increased education for those in their community.
Meaningful Consultation

Rohingya women involved in FGDs shared that consultations are ‘meaningful’ to them when:

  • They feel like their voices are genuinely listened to
  • Their priorities and recommendations are respected
  • They see concrete actions resulting from their participation/consultation

For Rohingya women, meaningful consultations should be guided by principles of clear communication, follow-up, and a commitment to ensuring that all participants can contribute equally.

Participation

Key barriers to participation included cultural and religious norms that required women to seek permission from family members or community leaders. Social norms also limit Rohingya women’s participation, particularly the expectations of women to complete household responsibilities and the stigma and judgment against women when they participate in decision-making or public life.

During the FGDs, women proposed solutions for overcoming these barriers to women’s participation, such as funding for women’s initiatives. Other enablers of women’s participation included:

  • Education and training
  • Increased leadership opportunities
  • Safe spaces for discussion
  • Increased support from family members
  • Awareness sessions
Protection

Rohingya women face many barriers when it comes to protection and engaging with reporting mechanisms to seek justice for GBV. For those women able to overcome the social norms that increase their risk of experiencing violence, they collaborate with local community leaders and institutions such as health centers and support systems.

Overall, women expressed a need to be more involved in GBV prevention programs and awareness sessions on early marriage, trafficking, and domestic violence. This awareness training will support women in seeking justice using the available reporting systems.

Prevention

There are many contextual, structural barriers created by economic instability, climate change, and insufficient resources for Rohingya women looking to be involved in Prevention efforts. To overcome these barriers, women shared a consistent request for training in peacebuilding and education to understand how to become more active in the prevention space amidst the ongoing challenges posed by their external environment. However, women expressed that economic stability and independence were paramount so that women could feasibly engage in these other activities.

Burkina Faso
individual women consulted

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a growing security crisis which has spiraled into a humanitarian emergency and displaced over two million people. Women and girls are particularly at risk and face many challenges such as food insecurity, inadequate housing and sanitation, lack of access to income-generating activities, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Gender inequality remains pervasive in Burkina Faso despite efforts to increase the political participation and representation of women. Women and girls face disproportionate barriers and challenges that have been exacerbated by humanitarian crises and the rise of militant extremist groups. In addition, persistent patriarchal cultural norms and harmful discriminatory practices such as gender-based violence (GBV) and female genital mutilation inhibit progress toward gender equality and threaten the health of women and girls. The political and economic empowerment of women in Burkina Faso remains a major challenge for the country’s sustainable and inclusive development. Boys still have a higher level of education than girls. Similarly, the literacy rate is 59% higher for men (49.2%) than for women (31.0%). Even though Burkina Faso has adopted a new National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS for the period 2023-2025, Burkinabé women remain poorly represented in political and decision-making spheres. Gender stereotypes as well as family obligations, which weigh most heavily on women, exacerbate gender gaps in decision-making positions.

The survey included 404 respondents, with 51% aged between 26 and 45 years old. Most respondents (55%) identified as housewives, while 15% were subsistence farmers, and 9% worked in the informal sector. Educational attainment was low, with 55% of respondents having no formal education, and only 1% reporting tertiary education. In terms of marital status, 69% were married, while 13% were widowed, and 13% were single. These demographics highlight a population with limited formal education and employment opportunities, especially in formal sectors.

The FGDs revealed that women’s participation in community decision-making is constrained by cultural norms that discourage their involvement in public discussions, particularly in mixed-gender settings where they are expected to stay silent in the presence of men. Although some women provide indirect input through male relatives, they call for leadership and advocacy training to increase their confidence to participate in community activities beyond the women’s groups and associations where they are most comfortable. Women see themselves as potential leaders in conflict prevention activities such as community dialogues and education campaigns to prevent land disputes and promote social cohesion, especially amid challenges posed by climate change and poverty. However, they are often excluded from decision-making structures and processes. Protection from GBV remains inadequate, with most support being informal and insufficient to meet the widespread survivor needs for psychological, economic, and legal support. Women express hopes for greater social cohesion, peace, and recognition of their rights. Education, training, and infrastructure (schools, health centers, etc.) development are crucial for women to improve their participation and recovery from conflict and displacement.

We consulted with 804 women in Burkina Faso for From Asking to Action. 404 women participated individually via our survey and 399 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from one women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Amongst the women we consulted with in Burkina Faso, almost all (91%) feel their situation will improve in the next 5 years. 2% of women feel it will stay the same, and only 6% of women think it will worsen.

Women in Burkina Faso say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food insecurity
  • Climate change
  • War, conflict, and insecurity
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 95% of women surveyed in Burkina Faso have participated in consultations.

51% of women in Burkina Faso would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Burkina Faso when they have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (50%), can see tangible changes and improvements as a result of their participation (47%), and can gain new knowledge and skills through the process (47%).

Participation

Women in Burkina Faso report social norms being a serious constraint to their participation, with 51% saying they ‘significantly’ impact women’s participation, and a further 28% saying they ‘moderately’ impact women’s participation.

The specific norms that women surveyed feel prevent their participation the most are:

  • Discouraging women from speaking in public (64%)
  • Expecting women to prioritize domestic responsibilities (61%)
  • Stigmatizing women who participate in politics (58%)

Despite these challenges, women still report participation across a range of community activities. The most frequently cited activities are:

  • Women’s group meetings (77%)
  • Advocacy and awareness campaigns (51%)
  • Community dialogues (38%)

To further strengthen their confidence in participating in community activities, women in Burkina Faso felt the most important support that could be offered was training and capacity building (78%), closely followed by behavior change campaigns (76%) and financial resources (71%).

Protection

Women report having fairly high levels of mobility in Burkina Faso, with almost two-thirds of women surveyed (65%) saying that women and girls are either ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Nevertheless, women still contend with various forms of VAWG. The forms of violence that women consulted felt were most experienced by women in their community were:

  • Forced marriage (56%)
  • Intimate partner violence (55%)
  • Psychological violence (35%)

Women reported that the factors that contribute most to violence include poverty (76%), unemployment (68%), substance abuse (67%), lack of education (62%), and gender inequality (61%).

More positively, when it comes to responding to cases of violence against women, 78% of women consulted said that cases are effectively or very effectively handled at the community level.

Prevention

Women in Burkina Faso felt strongly that women contribute to conflict prevention efforts, with 78% reporting that they perceive women play a major or moderate role, and a further 21% saying women play a minor role. When exploring more specifically the actions women in their community take to prevent conflicts from worsening, women surveyed cited:

  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (74%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (73%)
  • Organize and lead women’s group meetings (64%)

However, women’s communities are facing a range of challenges in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity – these were highlighted to be insufficient education and awareness (85%), lack of resources and funding (81%), and harmful cultural and social norms (57%).

To more effectively advocate against VAWG, women surveyed prioritized the following areas of support needed:

  • Training and education (88%)
  • Financial resources (72%)
  • Community support (67%)
Women engaging with the consultation process in Burkina Faso. Photo credit: Women for Women International
DRC
individual women consulted

The history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is marked by brutal oppression by the colonial regime and widespread violence amid the country’s struggle for independence. In the eastern region of the DRC, civilians have grappled with war, civil strife, and rebellion since 1996. As of August 2024, security is deteriorating in South Kivu Province and across eastern DRC, where a record 7.2 million people are now internally displaced. Much of the insecurity is linked to an upsurge in fighting by the M23 armed group. The armed conflict has displaced 1.7 million people and raisedthe risk of a major regional conflagration. Women and girls suffer disproportionately from high rates of gender-based violence (GBV), extreme poverty, lack of services like healthcare, psychosocial support, security, and limited justice for survivors of violence: 51% of Congolese women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, 37% of women were married before their 18th birthday, and 36.7% of women have at least minimal secondary education. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) adopted its second and most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2018 for 2019-2022.

We consulted with 901 women in the DRC for From Asking to Action. 818 women participated individually via our survey and 80 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 3 women’s rights organizations.

Among the 818 women surveyed in the DRC, the age range was broad, but most respondents were between the ages of 26 and 45 reflecting a group of individuals actively involved in their communities and livelihoods. Employment data revealed that around 70% of respondents identified as business owners. Others worked in agriculture – the primary economic activity for most Congolese -or in formal and informal sectors, which reflects the diversity of income-generating activities in the region. Educational backgrounds varied, with 50% of women having completed secondary school, while others had completed primary or tertiary education. Most women (81%) were married, with a smaller proportion widowed, separated, or single.

The focus group discussions provided deeper insights into the realities faced by these women, particularly across key Women, Peace and Security pillars such as prevention, protection, participation, and relief and recovery. Regarding protection, women voiced frustration over the lack of enforcement of existing laws meant to safeguard them. “The laws exist in the constitution, but they are neither disseminated nor respected,” said one participant, emphasizing the disconnect between policy and practice. Regarding participation, there was an acknowledgment that while progress has been made, women are often sidelined in decision-making processes. “Even if women are present, they are rarely asked for their opinions,” one participant noted, indicating that while representation is growing, genuine inclusion remains elusive. Within the relief and recovery pillar, women identified key barriers to accessing health services, often due to the distance of health centers and hospitals, which affects their ability to access GBV support. Lastly, the women’s hopes and aspirations centered on dreams of living in peace and having equal access to education and employment opportunities. “Our dream is to live in peace, free from violence, and to have equal rights to education and employment,” summarized one participant, reflecting a collective yearning for a more just and equitable society. These discussions illuminated the complex interplay between legal, cultural, and societal factors that continue to limit women’s full participation and protection in DRC society.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

The women we consulted with in the eastern DRC almost unanimously (99%) feel their situation will improve in the next 5 years.

Women in DRC say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food scarcity (77%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • Health (55%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 37% of women surveyed in DRC have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

71% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in the DRC when they:

  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (41% of women)
  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (47% of women)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of their participation (33% of women)
Participation

When asked, 28% of women surveyed indicated that they have not participated in any community activities. However, a nearly equal amount (27%) participated in mediation and conflict resolution efforts and 58% of women surveyed have participated in women’s group meetings.

It is surprising that this is not higher, since 90% of women we spoke to in the DRC said that they either always or often feel safe when participating in community activities – for example, expressing their opinion in public or political contexts, contributing to advocacy efforts and engaging with women-focused programs.

Over half of the women surveyed (59%) felt that their community was accepting of women participating in political activities. When asked what would be helpful in improving women’s representation, participation and leadership in decision-making, women in the DRC recommended there be more:

  • Women in leadership positions with community decision making structures (62%)
  • Regular participation by women in community meetings (43%)
  • Consultations with women on a more regular basis (39%).
Protection

Violence against women is a pervasive challenge for women surveyed in the DRC with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (74%)
  • Child marriage (54%)
  • Harassment (44%)

Despite this high prevalence of violence in the DRC, over half of the women we spoke to (53%) are not always able to access protection services – with 11% never accessing services, 16% of women rarely accessing services, and 26% sometimes accessing services. This is unsurprising since only 19% of the women we spoke to appeared to have faith in the system’s ability to handle their cases – the remaining 81% reported that cases are either not addressed or they often face some form of delay.

Prevention

52% of women in DRC said that they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. 32% of these women said they had participated personally. 48% of women said they had not.

Despite women’s participation in prevention activities being reasonably high, relative to the other countries where we consulted with women, it is noteworthy that a significant number of women in DRC reported facing challenges in doing so – particularly due to:

  • Insufficient resources (68% of women)
  • A lack of awareness and education (59% of women
  • A lack of community or family support (38% of women).

When it comes to broader conflict prevention, an overwhelming 97% of women we spoke to in DRC feel that women have a role to play. The top three ways that women reported taking action on conflict prevention are advocating for peace and conflict resolution, organizing and leading women’s group meetings, and participating in education and awareness campaigns.

Women engaging with the consultation process in DRC. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Iraq
individual women consulted

Political tension and violence, a weakened economy, and mass displacement continue to destabilize Iraq following the war in 2003 and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the subsequent years. During ISIS’ enforced control of territories, women were abducted and subjected to physical and sexual violence. Following the destabilization of ISIS’ control in Iraq and Syria, Iraq faces a displacement crisis from Iraqi civilians displaced by ISIS and refugees escaping the war in Syria. Following the breakdown of ISIS’ control, 1.2 million displaced persons are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Amid the struggle to rebuild, women IDPs and refugees also face discrimination and patriarchal norms, limiting their social and economic opportunities as they are expected to assume traditional gender roles even in crisis. For women refugees and the internally displaced, the challenges of life in host communities and refugee camps also hinders their access to education or income-generating activities. Women’s ability to participate in a wide range of decision-making processes is influenced by economic factors and determinants, in addition to the impact of customs, traditions, and the effects of conflicts on women. Iraq has recently adopted its second NAP, the 2021-2024 NAP. It adopted its first National Action Plan (NAP) in 2014 covering 2014-2018, making it the first country in the MENA region to adopt a NAP.

The demographic data from the survey conducted in Iraq shows that out of 251 respondents, 69% were Iraqi nationals, while 31% were Syrian refugees or migrants. The respondents were primarily women aged between 26-35 years (34%), with the next largest group aged 46-55 years (24%). Most women identified as homemakers (94%), with only a few employed in the formal or informal sectors. Educational levels were generally low, with 41% of respondents having completed primary education, while 21% had no formal education at all. This is common among refugees or IDPs – especially women – whose education may have been disrupted during displacement and never restarted. 73% of respondents were married, and 20% were single, while the remainder were widowed, divorced, or separated. These findings suggest a population facing substantial challenges related to education, economic independence, and social roles, all of which directly impact their ability to engage in community or public life.

The focus group discussions (FGDs) provided deeper insights into the lived experiences of women in conflict-affected regions of Iraq. The discussions revealed significant barriers to women’s participation in decision-making, with traditional gender norms and male-dominated social structures continuing to limit their involvement. One participant stated, “Even if we attend meetings, it’s the men who decide,” underscoring the gendered power imbalance. Women also highlighted their limited access to education and economic opportunities, which further hinders their empowerment and exacerbates the internalization of gender norms that reduce their confidence and prevent them from participating. Many participants shared experiences of gender-based violence and the societal pressures often preventing them from seeking help. One woman remarked, “Even when we are beaten, we don’t report it because we fear being blamed by the community.” The absence of formal legal protections and support systems exacerbates their vulnerability to abuse. In addition to the impacts of conflict and harmful gender norms, women describe growing challenges such as climate change and its impacts on agriculture and livelihoods which are straining already vulnerable populations. Despite these challenges, participants expressed hopes for increased education for their daughters and greater representation in decision-making processes. They envision a future where their voices are heard, and their informal leadership roles and input can meaningfully contribute to peacebuilding and community development.

We consulted with 306 women in Iraq for From Asking to Action. 251 women participated individually via our survey and 50 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 5 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

57% of women we spoke to in Iraq are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 34% of women surveyed expect things to stay the same and 9% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Iraq say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (65%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (60%)
  • Gender inequality and harmful social norms (41%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, almost half of women surveyed in Iraq (43%) have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

54% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Iraq when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (74% of women)
  • Feel their participation is safe and empowering (60% of women)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of the engagement (55% of women)
Participation

Women surveyed in Iraq presented a bleak outlook of women’s participation in community activities, with 39% of women responding that they do not participate in community activities or are restricted to women’s group meetings (47%).

This is likely to be directly connected to the fact that 73% of women surveyed in Iraq do not feel safe when participating in community activities.

100% of women surveyed in Iraq also feel that social norms limit women’s participation to varying degrees – 67% believe significantly so, 29% moderately so, and 9% minimally so.

The social norms they feel most restrict women’s participation are:

  • The limitation of women’s roles to domestic responsibility (90%)
  • Denying women the right to inherit property (71%)
  • The discouragement of women speaking up in public forums (71%).

In contrast to this, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Support from their community and family (87%)
  • Increased legal support and protection (75%)
  • Support specifically from male family members, either a husband or a parent (74%)
Protection

Women’s mobility is restricted in Iraq, with over half of women (56%) reporting that women and girls are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Violence against women is also highly prevalent in Iraq, with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (84%)
  • Child marriage (82%)
  • Psychological violence (66%).

Despite reporting a high incidence of violence against women, 66% of the women consulted in Iraq said women in their community either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ seek protection or support from formal mechanisms and institutions in dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. policy, legal aid, community welfare groups etc.). 23% said women sometimes seek support. Only 4% of those surveyed said women always seek support.

Social norms and cultural traditions are the top reported drivers of violence against women (76%) and related stigma is the top reason that women do not seek help or protection against such violence (86%).

Prevention

65% of women said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. Women were more likely to know someone who had participated in prevention efforts (20%) than have participated themselves (14%).

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Iraq reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to:

  • A lack of community or family support (78% of women)
  • Fear of retaliation (76% of women)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (67% of women)

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Iraq report that they:

  • Seek support from local authorities and institutions (82%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (75%)
  • Participate in education and awareness campaigns (54%)

However, only 1% of the women we spoke to said that women play a major role in preventing conflict, while 54% of women surveyed said that women do not play any role at all. This suggests that women do not perceive the actions outlined above to constitute formal conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Iraq. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Mali
individual women consulted

Armed conflict, droughts, and political instability have created a dire humanitarian crisis in Mali. 90% of people in Mali live under the poverty line – particularly impacting women and girls – and high unemployment rates plague those living in rural areas. Mali holds the 184th position in the 2020 Gender Inequality Index. Mali is also on the front lines of the climate crisis, the impacts of which are compounding a multi-dimensional and complex situation that further increases the vulnerability of women and girls.

The prevalence of early and forced marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and female genital mutilation persists throughout the nation, with many women facing barriers to justice due to societal pressures against seeking support and a lack of awareness about their rights. Because of the conflict, there has also been an increase in kidnappings and sexual violence. Survivors endure physical and psychological trauma but suffer in silence due to distrust in institutions, fear of reprisals, and community stigmatization. The outbreak of acute conflict in 2012 has since led to the displacement of civilians, including women and unaccompanied children, who face challenges in securing shelter, food insecurity, and the risk of violence. Amidst the ongoing conflict and attacks on civilians, Mali adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security in 2019 for the period 2019-2023. Mali’s third NAP is preceded by two other NAPs, adopted in 2012 and 2015 and implemented for 2012-2014 and 2015-2017, respectively.

We consulted with 507 women in Mali for From Asking to Action. 302 women participated individually via survey and 204 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) with other women. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women’s rights organization.

The majority of the 302 women surveyed were:

  • Aged between 36-45 (35%),
  • Married (69%)
  • Not formally educated (45%)

Employment opportunities are limited, with many women relying on subsistence farming or informal labor. The social norms and cultural traditions in their communities played a key role in constricting their participation in public life. Women are deterred from attending community meetings due to the logistical challenges posed by their significant household responsibilities and due to intentional exclusion from the meetings. Often, even if they can attend a meeting, they feel that their inputs are not taken seriously due to social norms that devalue women’s opinions. Women surveyed in Mali noted that they find alternative tracks for participation and influence through women-led awareness campaigns, associations, and community dialogues, but they lament that these channels are less formalized and would benefit from improved coordination among organizations working on these issue areas.

Finding alternative pathways for engagement and support also emerged as a theme in women’s description of their Protection and Prevention strategies. Women described a lack of awareness coupled with a lack of sufficient effectiveness of laws that are intended to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV). Women shared that they ‘protect themselves’ by avoiding what they perceive to be unsafe areas and respecting their spouses. When these strategies fail, they primarily rely on women’s centers for support and call for greater economic opportunities, legal aid, and psychosocial support groups to assist GBV survivors.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

77% of women we spoke to are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 13% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 10% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Mali say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (51%)
  • Violence against women (38%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (49%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 81% of women surveyed in Mali have participated in consultations.

57% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Mali when they:

  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (57% of women surveyed)
  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process (34% of women surveyed)
Participation

83% of the women we spoke to had previously participated in community leadership and decision-making activities. This is positive, but it is noteworthy that women in Mali were more likely to have participated in women’s group meetings (56%), advocacy campaigns (43%), and community dialogues (42%) than in mediation and conflict resolution (29%) or standing for elected political or other leadership positions (3%) – activities in which participation rates among our respondents were notably low but which are critical for women to participate in given the ongoing and worsening armed conflict within the country.

Feeling safe and secure to participate is not necessarily the biggest barrier to participation, as we see in other contexts. In fact, 73% of women reported sometimes (27%), often (23%) or always (23%) feeling safe while only 11% of women said they never do.

Rather, social norms and traditions present the greatest barrier to women having their voices heard in public life in Mali, with 59% of women reporting that such traditions create a stigma for women who participate in community activities.

This is compounded by economic factors, with women reporting that the household, community, and broader economic environment impact women’s participation by:

  • Limiting access to education and training opportunities (58%)
  • Increasing financial dependency on others (47%)
  • Reducing decision-making power (38%)
Protection

There are relatively high levels of women’s mobility in Mali. When asked whether women and girls always move around freely in their community, 55% of women said they do either most or all of the time and 8% of women said this happened rarely (18%) or never (10%).

Despite this apparent freedom, violence against women is highly prevalent in Mali, with the top three forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (78%)
  • Forced marriage (66%)
  • Child marriage (63%), with 72% of women believing that this is being practiced in their community and 59% of women reporting that they think the frequency of child marriage is either common or very common.

Women assessed the drivers of these forms of violence to be unemployment (66% of women surveyed), poverty (65% of women surveyed), and a lack of education (50% of women surveyed).

Even with high levels of experienced violence, only 3% of women surveyed in Mali report that they ‘always’ seek help from security institutions when experiencing cases of violence, and 38% of women rarely (28%) or never do (10%). The reluctance of women to seek help from such institutions seems to be rooted in fear of retaliation (19%), social stigma (16%), and a lack of trust in the institutions themselves (11%) rather than the fact that the services and institutions do not exist, which 0% of women identified as a reason for avoiding such institutions.

There was a strong call to action from women in Mali to improve their protection by:

  • Increasing the public awareness and education on women’s rights (61%)
  • Providing shelters and safe spaces for women (59%)
  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (51%).
Prevention

A relatively high number of women in Mali had either participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls or knew someone who had (62% of women we spoke to).

Despite this, the challenges that prevent women from seeking justice, support, or redress are mirrored in the challenges that hinder them from participating in prevention efforts. These include:

  • A lack of community and family support (60%)
  • Fear of retaliation (44%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out or risk their reputation (37%)

When asked specifically about conflict prevention, 78% of women responded that women in their community play a role. This is significant given that 65% of women shared that they experience conflict and security issues as serious concerns.

Women described such conflict prevention activities as engagement in community dialogues and mediation (50% of women) and advocating for peace (47% of women).

Women engaging with the consultation process in Mali. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Myanmar
individual women consulted

More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar were chased from their homes by the army and allied militias in 2017 and, as stateless refugees, they now report experiencing atrocities such as rape and sexual violence, destruction of property, and extrajudicial executions and killings. The Rohingya population either live in government-controlled detention camps or outlying villages under severe restrictions. Conservative cultural and traditional norms within the Rohingya community also hinder access to education for most adolescent girls and women who are often secluded within their homes. The expansion of Arakan Army control in Rakhine State is also likely to have major repercussions for the role of women, particularly in decision-making. Like most societies in Myanmar, Rakhine State is highly patriarchal, with traditional gender roles still prevailing. However, a liberalization period of 2011-2021 facilitated new opportunities for Rakhine women to become politically, economically and socially active. Although men continued to dominate, women participated in new political parties and civil society organizations, and they were also able to gain access to new economic and educational opportunities.

We consulted with 449 women in Myanmar for From Asking to Action. 228 women participated individually via a survey and 218 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) with other women. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 3 women’s rights organizations.

The consultation process in Myanmar with women in regions such as Sittwe, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw, provided valuable insights into the socioeconomic conditions and barriers women face. Most survey respondents were from Sittwe (72%), and a large portion of the participants (28%) were aged between 18-26. Employment status was notably precarious, with 84% of women surveyed sharing that they are currently not engaged in any income-generating activities. Specifically, 37% of women reported unemployment, and 36% identified as homemakers, while only 5% were employed in the formal sector. Educational attainment was similarly limited, as 35% of respondents reported having no formal education, while 30% had secondary education. This demographic data highlights the limited opportunities for women in the region to engage in formal employment or gain higher education, which negatively impacts their capacity to participate in community and political processes. These socioeconomic vulnerabilities frame many of the challenges expressed in the subsequent FGDs, particularly regarding women’s exclusion from decision-making processes.

Key findings from the FGDs shed light on the cultural and societal norms restricting women’s participation. Women expressed a strong willingness to participate in community discussions but faced barriers such as men’s refusal to accept their suggestions or even allow them to attend meetings. Cultural norms – especially men’s dominance in decision-making – make it difficult for women to have an equal voice in decisions and processes. Despite these challenges, the women expressed strong aspirations for leadership roles and advocated for capacity-building programs that could enable them to actively influence decisions affecting their lives. In addition to restrictive cultural norms, the challenges posed by a lack of livelihood and economic support underpinned most of their recommendations. Lack of funds hinders women from participating in community activities and GBV prevention efforts, and their livelihood challenges are exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, displacement, and seasonal food shortages. Women surveyed in Myanmar are eager for change and eager to participate in leading those changes, but they are calling out for greater international solidarity and support for their livelihoods, leadership training and capacity-strengthening, and overall well-being.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

51% of women we spoke to in Myanmar expect their situation to worsen in the next five years. 18% of women expect it to stay the same while 29% of women are hopeful that their circumstances will improve.

Women in Myanmar say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (75%)
  • Food scarcity and insecurity (67%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (53%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, only 37% of women in Myanmar have participated in consultations.

38% of women would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Myanmar when they:

  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process (48% of women surveyed)
  • Gain new skills and knowledge through the process (25% of women surveyed)
Participation

Over 50% of women surveyed in Myanmar had not participated in any community leadership and decision-making activities.

Of those who have participated in community activities, they reported mainly participating in mediation and conflict resolution (32% of women surveyed). A lower percentage of women had participated in women’s group meetings (14%) and advocacy and awareness campaigns (12%) – activities that women surveyed in other countries tended to participate in the most.

The lower participation in public campaigns or meetings is no surprise, given that only 7% of women reported ‘always’ feeling safe in their community. In direct contrast, 84% of women reported never, rarely, or only sometimes feeling safe while 5% of women did not answer the question at all.

In addition to safety and security, 58% of women in Myanmar felt that social norms significantly or moderately restrict women’s opportunities, with the most frequently cited social norms being:

  • Discouraging women from speaking out in public (51%)
  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (33%)
  • Stigmatizing women who participate in politics (32%)

Women in Myanmar called for increased support to facilitate women’s participation, particularly financial resources, legal support and protection, and community and family support.

Protection

Women surveyed identified the following forms of violence as affecting women most in their communities:

  • Intimate Partner Violence (77%)
  • Harassment (55%)
  • Child marriage (50%
  • Girl child trafficking (47%)
  • Psychological violence (47%)

Against this backdrop, only 8% of women in Myanmar always seek help from security institutions when experiencing cases of violence, and 50% of women rarely or never do.

This appears to be due to economic insecurity, with 67% of women indicating that a lack of free services is one of the top reasons they do not seek formal support when they experience violence. 65% of women also reported a lack of trust in the institutions.

Comparatively, only 35% of women cited fear of retaliation as a reason for not seeking support, which is surprising given how few women reported feeling safe in their communities.

There was a strong call to action from women in Myanmar to improve their protection by:

  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (61%)
  • Increasing the public awareness and education on women’s rights (48%)
  • Enhancing access to healthcare and psychological support (39%)
  • Improving security and law enforcement presence (39%)
Prevention

Most women surveyed (56%) described the peace and security situations in their community as very insecure with constant conflicts, and most other respondents described the situation just a degree less severely as frequently insecure with ongoing conflicts (32%).

Despite living in a situation self-described as being on the spectrum of ‘frequently’ to ‘very’ insecure with ongoing to constant conflict, 39% of women surveyed shared that women do not currently play any formal role in preventing conflict, and 40% of women surveyed shared that they were unsure whether women were involved or not.

Women surveyed in Myanmar identified a lack of resources and funding (65%), insufficient education and awareness (55%), and inadequate legal frameworks (45%) as primary challenges facing their community in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Myanmar. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Nigeria
individual women consulted

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, but rising instability, cash scarcity, a weakening economy, and distrust of government are threatening its progress. Localized violence spurred by farmer-herder conflict, armed banditry, and the militant Boko Haram group compromises the safety of women and girls—subjecting them to dangers like sexual assault and forced early marriage. Over 50% of girls are absent from secondary school. 2.1 million people are internally displaced — most of them women and children. For Nigerian women and girls, patriarchal norms, rampant gender-based violence (GBV), and poverty are obstacles they encounter in their daily lives. According to research conducted in 2024 by Women for Women International, the top barriers to women’s economic and political participation in Nigeria include lack of education or literacy (a woman may not have the awareness or confidence to express herself on issues that affect society), community attitudes and norms (gender discrimination, stigma around participation, gender-based violence, economic vulnerability (including the impact of poverty on women’s confidence and capacity and the challenges posed by women’s lack of economic independence and financial decision-making power as compared to men), and institutional constraints (lack of government support and socialization of laws can weaken women’s rights and status). Nigeria adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) in 2017 for 2017-2020. It is preceded by one other NAP, adopted in 2013 and implemented for 2013-2017.

Most research participants in Nigeria are women aged 26-35 (38%) and 36-45 (31%). This age distribution highlights a community of women in their prime family-rearing years. Many are also actively contributing to household incomes. Employment data shows that 70% of respondents are business owners, while 12% are involved in profit-oriented farming. This underscores the role of women as key economic actors in their communities despite limited access to formal job opportunities. Educational attainment varied among respondents, with 50% of women completing secondary education, 33% finishing primary school, and 11% having no formal education at all. These findings reflect the diversity in educational backgrounds which plays a role in their capacity to engage in leadership and decision-making. Most of the participants are married (81%), a demographic feature that often impacts their roles in family and community life, as well as their access to resources and opportunities.

In the FGDs, the discussions centered on women’s participation in community meetings, particularly in cases related to gender-based violence (GBV), domestic violence, and early marriage. Many women reported that they are increasingly being called upon to assist in community decision-making processes, such as conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. This involvement, however, is not without its challenges. Cultural norms, lack of education, and insufficient financial support often hinder their ability to fully participate or make decisions. Some women expressed frustrations that – despite being allowed to attend meetings – they are not always given the same respect or authority as their male counterparts. Economic instability, largely driven by climate change and conflict, has forced women to adapt their livelihoods and turn to coping mechanisms such as reduced meal consumption. Many have turned to petty trading, agriculture, and vocational skills to survive the harsh economic conditions. One participant highlighted, “Women navigate economic instability by engaging in wage labor and small businesses.” Despite these interconnected barriers, the women remain hopeful for increased involvement in leadership roles and stronger legal protections against GBV. Their aspirations for greater representation in peacebuilding efforts, economic empowerment, and justice for GBV survivors continue to drive their participation in community life.

We consulted with 541 women in Nigeria for From Asking to Action. 500 women participated individually via our survey and 36 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 5 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Almost all women we spoke to in Nigeria (94%) are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years.

Women in Nigeria say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • Food scarcity (76%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (60%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity along with health (40%)
Meaningful Consultation

 Over the past 12 months, 76% of women in Nigeria had participated in consultations.

Of those, the most common consultation formats were:

  • Public forums or townhall meetings specifically for women (38%)
  • One-on-one interviews (32%)
  • Public forums or townhall meetings with others in the community (27%)

34% of women surveyed in Nigeria would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Nigeria when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (41%)
  • See tangible results and improvements as a result of their participation (41%)
  • Feel that their opinions are genuinely valued (37%)
Participation

84% of women in Nigeria – a notable majority – responded that they participate in community-level activities, most commonly via women’s group meetings (72%), community dialogues (38%), and advocacy and awareness campaigns (30%).

This high rate of community participation is likely related to the fact that 87% of women surveyed in Nigeria feel they can express themselves ‘very’ freely or ‘somewhat’ freely, while 96% of women ‘always’, ‘often’, or ‘sometimes’ feel safe participating in community activities.

Women in Nigeria, however, did identify some barriers and challenges and were much less likely to participate in mediation and conflict resolution activities or stand for an elected political or other leadership position. They indicated that the limitation of their roles to domestic responsibilities (51%) is one of the top three social norms that hinder women’s participation, along with discouragement of women from speaking in public (57%), and a devaluation of women’s opinions and efforts (41%).

Relatedly, 58% of women indicated that ‘community and family support’ is one of the primary support mechanisms necessary to enable their participation in public life beyond those domestic roles.

Protection

Women and girls surveyed reported their relative freedom and safety of movement in Nigeria. 87% of women reported that they can always or most of the time move around freely and safely and only 3% reported that they rarely face restrictions. This is positive to hear.

Despite this freedom of movement, violence against women in Nigeria is highly prevalent, particularly in the domestic setting. The top three forms of violence reported are:

  • Intimate partner violence (78%)
  • Denial of inheritance (50%)
  • Denial of economic empowerment (39%)

Child marriage was also specifically reported by 49% of women as being a form of violence occurring in their community.

Unemployment (70%) and poverty (69%) were the top reported drivers of violence against women, while substance abuse (51%) and a lack of education (61%) were also cited as common causes of violence.

When asked to select the top five actions that would better protect and ensure the safety of women in their community, women most frequently called for increased public awareness on women’s rights (69%) and strengthened legal frameworks and enforcement (64%).

This is unsurprising since only 25% of women reported that women ‘always’ seek help and support from security and justice institutions, likely because only 25% of women expressed that cases of violence are always handled appropriately by such institutions.

Prevention

72% of women said that either they or someone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community.

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Nigeria reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to:

  • Lack of community or family support (53%)
  • Lack of awareness of education (49%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (42%) and fear of retaliation (41%)

It was positive to hear that most women in Nigeria (81%) would describe the current situation in their community as peaceful and secure. Only 2% of women described either constant or ongoing conflicts and frequent insecurity.

This is interesting considering that 86% of women we spoke with shared that women play a role in conflict prevention in their community, suggesting a tangible connection between peace and security and women’s participation.

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Nigeria report:

  • Advocating for peace and conflict resolution (58%)
  • Engaging in community dialogues and mediation (54%)
  • Organizing and leading women’s group meetings (54%)

They do, however, find a lack of resources and funding (66%) and insufficient education and awareness (68%) to be major barriers to preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Nigeria. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Palestine
individual women consulted

The war in Palestine continues to bring unimaginable suffering. Two-thirds of the tens of thousands of people killed are women and children. Two mothers are killed every hour in Gaza. Nearly two million more have been forcibly displaced and left to live without safe shelter and without enough food or clean water to survive. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has spanned decades but the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza by Israel have led to a new and deadly chapter in this war. Since October 7, 2023, with increasing violence, raids, and restrictions on people’s movements, women and their families have limited access to health and medical facilities, clean water, and essential food items. The constant bombardment of hospitals, combined with the Israeli government’s restrictions on fuel, water, and aid, has led to the collapse of the healthcare system, putting mothers and their newborns at risk of significant physical and mental harm and violating women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. Nearly 1.1 million people are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity, with famine an imminent concern in northern Gaza, exposing women and marginalized groups to additional immediate and long-term health consequences due to the hostilities. Palestine adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in 2016 for the period 2017-2019. It has recently adopted its second National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2020-2024.

The demographic data from the survey of 413 women respondents indicates that the vast majority, 412, are from Palestine, with one respondent from Syria. The age distribution shows that most women are aged 18-35 (61% of total respondents), while the remaining respondents are older with 19% in the 36-45 age group and only 9% aged 56 and above. Unemployment remains a significant issue, with 17% of respondents identifying as unemployed. However, a larger proportion of women surveyed (34%) identified as homemakers, while 22% work in the informal sector and 13% are employed in the formal sector.

The data from the key informant interviews (KIIs) highlights challenges and areas of progress for women in the region. Women’s participation in civic life is growing through advocacy, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment although cultural and socio-political barriers limit their roles, especially in conflict-affected and conservative areas. Efforts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) are centered on education and awareness-raising, particularly involving men and boys to challenge harmful social norms perpetuating and normalizing GBV. Despite these initiatives, protection for women remains insufficient due to weak legal frameworks and systemic challenges like a lack of consistent government support to implement policies like WPS. Both funding constraints and political instability hinder relief and recovery efforts. As economic conditions worsen, organizations are unable to fulfill their priorities such as providing food, shelter, and psychological support to displaced women and families. Leaders of these organizations express hope for increased international support, sustained financial resources, and greater representation of women in decision-making roles to meet the vast relief and recovery needs of people in Palestine and to empower women economically and socially.

We consulted with 422 women in Palestine for From Asking to Action. 413 women participated individually via our survey. The current security situation made it difficult to gather women in groups, so we did not conduct focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 9 women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Women in Palestine are demonstrating incredible resilience, but their hope is certainly waning – especially when compared to other conflict-affected contexts. 62% of women surveyed in Palestine are hopeful and expectant that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years. 39% of women are less hopeful and expect things to either stay the same (19%) or anticipate their situation worsening (20%).

Women in Palestine say that the top three obstacles that they worry will prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (73%%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (52%)
  • Forced displacement (49%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 32% of women we spoke to in Palestine have not participated in consultations despite the worsening security situation and the clear need for inclusive peace processes to end the ongoing conflict.

58% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so – this is not surprising since this right is under serious threat.

Consultation would also be ‘meaningful’ to women in Palestine when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (53% of women surveyed)
  • Build connections and networks with other women and stakeholders (37% of women surveyed)
  • Feel that their opinions and experiences are genuinely valued and considered (36% of women surveyed)
Participation

33% of women have not participated in any community activities. For those who have, they are most likely to have engaged in community dialogues (43%) or women’s group meetings (38%). Very few women we spoke to in Palestine had participated in mediation and conflict resolution activities (13%) or stood for an elected political or other leadership position (6%).

This low participation does not seem to be driven by women’s feelings of safety when participating in community activities. While 21% of women in Palestine reported either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ feeling their participation was safe, 79% felt safe either ‘always’, ‘often’ or ‘some of the time’. 78% of women in Palestine also feel they can express their opinions freely in the home. This illustrates the need for the international community and institutions to avoid making assumptions about women in conflict’s willingness and perceived sense of safety as a barrier to their participation in the community decisions and activities affecting their lives.

However, all women surveyed (99%) in Palestine also feel that social norms and cultural traditions restrict women’s participation. They reported this to varying degrees – 56% believe significantly so, 33% moderately so, and 10% minimally so.

The social norms they feel most restrict women’s participation are:

  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (62%)
  • Devaluing of women’s opinions and contributions (46%)
  • Stigmatization of women who participate in politics (38%) and discouragement of women from speaking out in public (38%)

Other barriers to participation cited were a lack of support from male community members (49%) and a lack of education and awareness about how and where to participate (42%).

In contrast to this, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Consulting with women on a regular basis (48%)
  • Women in more leadership positions within community decision-making structures (48%)
  • Women in more leadership positions in national organizations (39%)

Women in Palestine called for legal support and protection (57%), financial resources (56%), and community and family support (54%) to help them feel more confident participating in community activities.

Protection

46% of women in Palestine said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts specifically to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) in their community. Women were much more likely to know someone who had participated in prevention efforts (32%) than have participated themselves (12%).

It is therefore noteworthy that a significant number of women in Palestine reported facing challenges in preventing VAWG, particularly due to:

  • Lack of community or family support (54%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out and risk to their reputation (53%)
  • Lack of awareness and education (48%)

When it comes to broader peace and security, 92% of women in Palestine describe the current situation as insecure, with either ‘constant’, ‘ongoing’, or even ‘occasional’ conflict. Only 7% of women describe the current situation as peaceful and secure.

In the face of this, overall, 64% of women in Palestine feel that women can play some role in conflict prevention (although 28% of women say that women do not have a role to play), with the kinds of actions they report women in their community taking including:

  • Participating in awareness and education campaigns (48%)
  • Seeking support from local authorities and institutions (41%)
  • Advocating for peace and conflict resolution (35%)

This is not without challenge, however. The women we spoke to identified a lack of resources and funding (68%), insufficient education and awareness raising (63%), and harmful cultural and social norms (59%) as barriers to their participation in conflict prevention.

To address these challenges, and further support these efforts, the women we consulted with prioritized the following as the most effective measures in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity:

  • Improving education and job opportunities (67%)
  • Promoting social cohesion (57%)
  • Enhancing legal and justice systems (52%)

They also called for further community support, legal assistance, and training and education for women to engage more in conflict prevention efforts.

Prevention

Women’s mobility is relatively good in Palestine, with only 15% of women reporting that women and girls are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community.

Violence against women is, however, highly prevalent with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (72%)
  • Denial of women’s inheritance (68%)
  • Denial of women’s economic empowerment (62%)

68% of women surveyed told us that they think child marriage is being practiced in their community and – of that 68% – almost half (41%) thought it was common practice.

Despite reporting such a high incidence of violence against women, 50% of the women consulted in Palestine said that women in their community either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ seek protection or support from formal mechanisms and institutions dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. police, legal aid, community welfare groups, etc.). 33% said women ‘sometimes’ seek support. Only 4% said women ‘always’ seek support.

Unemployment was the top reported driver of violence against women (65%). Fear of retaliation (27%) and social stigma (29%) were the main reasons that women shared that they do not think women seek help or protection from such violence. However, these levels of response for stigma and fear of retaliation were comparatively much lower than in the other countries we surveyed.

70% of women surveyed in Palestine called for action to increase public awareness and education on women’s rights, while 64% of women felt that that legal frameworks and enforcement need to be strengthened. This is unsurprising, given that 50% of women surveyed in Palestine said that cases of violence were ineffectively handled.

Woman engaging with the consultation process in Palestine. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Poland
individual women consulted

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has shattered the lives of millions of people. Since the invasion began, almost 6.5 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, creating one of the world’s fastest and largest human displacement crises since World War II. Two years later, women and children make up the majority of those internally displaced and faced with starting a new life in neighboring countries. Women survivors of sexual violence and those who have been displaced are finding it difficult to come to terms with their trauma. They need urgent psychological and medical help as well as vital practical support to rebuild their lives. For example, nearly one million Ukrainian refugees live in Poland and 41% of them are school-age children. By September 2022, more than 1.3 million Ukrainians had registered for temporary protection in Poland under an EU directive that automatically granted them – unlike other refugees – the right to live, work, and access services. Poland adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in 2018 for the period 2018-2021, and then updated this NAP to extend it until 2023.

The survey involved 232 Ukrainian women respondents from a variety of countries, with a significant number residing in Ukraine (53%) and Poland (29%). We spoke to 109 displaced women as part of this survey, 61% of whom reside in Poland.  Smaller groups of Ukrainian women participated from countries like Germany, Norway, Canada, and other European nations. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to over 56 years, with the majority between 36 and 45 years (40%) and 46 to 55 years (16%). Regarding occupation, 33% were officially employed, 26% were unemployed, and 19% worked in unofficial roles, with business owners making up 7%. Most participants (64%) had higher education degrees, while only a small percentage had primary or secondary education. In terms of marital status, 52% were married, 20% were unmarried, 14% were divorced, and 8% were widowed.

The data from the focus group discussions (FGDs) emphasize Ukrainian women’s sense of exclusion from decision-making processes. While just 3% of women reported that social norms did significantly impact their participation, 46% felt that social norms ‘moderately’ impacted their participation while the remaining 51% of women indicated that social norms impacted either minimally or not at all. Despite this, they still felt isolated and powerless in both their host communities and within broader political contexts. Many expressed frustrations at being unable to influence decisions in their home country, Poland, or in other host countries where they felt like outsiders. Economic instability was a significant driver of vulnerability, with many women struggling to secure jobs or financial independence. This lack of economic opportunity also heightened their exposure to exploitation and made it difficult for them to engage in leadership or community initiatives. Despite these challenges, the women remained hopeful that through access to training, capacity-building programs, and economic empowerment, they could begin to recover and reclaim their independence.

We consulted with 139 displaced Ukrainian women for From Asking to Action. 109 women participated individually via our survey and 30 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

Just 14% of displaced Ukrainian women living outside of Ukraine shared with us that they have hope that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 7% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 79% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Displaced Ukrainian women say that the top three obstacles they expect will prevent an improvement to their quality of life are:

  • Loss of economic opportunities (63%)
  • War, conflict, and insecurity (78%)
  • Forced displacement (60%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months,100% of the displaced Ukrainian women living outside of Ukraine have participated in some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives. The majority of these consultations have been through surveys or questionnaires (89%) but women have also engaged with FGDs (42%), individual interviews (48%) and other formats.

For Ukrainian women living in host communities to them meaningful consultation is when they can see tangible changes, results and improvements as a result of their involvement, they also shared that consultation for them is when they feel safe and when they feel “really heard”.

Participation

Women surveyed presented an interesting outlook of women’s participation in community activities, with 52% of women responding that they often feel safe to participate in community activities. We asked women if they felt social norms restricted their participation, 44% of women shared social norms have either minimal impact or no impact at all.

24% of women shared that social norms don’t impact their participation at all but for those that shared social norms impacted participation the most significant were:

  • The devaluing of women’s opinions and contributions (35%)
  • Women not speaking in public (11%)
  • Career expectations (23%)

Despite this, 45% of women surveyed shared that they don’t participate in any community activities. For them to feel more confident participating in community activities, their top priorities are:

  • 92% of women felt they needed more financial support in order to participate in community activities
  • 83% of women called for increased legal support and protection with advocacy support
  • 41% of women called for more training and capacity building
Protection

95% of Ukrainian displaced women living in host countries shared that they believe women and girls always move freely and safely in their communities, this is likely due to the majority of women being displaced from Ukraine to countries that do not experience the direct effects of conflict.

Violence against women does impact Ukrainian displaced women living in host communities with the top forms of violence reported being:

  • Intimate partner violence (23%)
  • Harassment (24%)
  • Psychological violence (73%).

It is also worth noting that 27% of women felt they weren’t impacted by violence at all.

While child marriage is a major form of violence against women and girls in conflict-affected contexts, displaced Ukrainian women living in host communities did not report it as a risk for them. 97% of respondents shared that child marriage is not practiced in their communities.

Prevention

When it comes to reporting violence against women and girls, 28% of women said they think that support and justice mechanisms are either ineffective or very ineffective with significant delays. 57% of women said they think the reporting mechanisms are effective but there are still delays in response.

57% of women also said that neither they nor anyone they knew had participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. It is therefore noteworthy that a number of women reported facing challenges in attempting to participate in GBV prevention efforts, particularly due to:

  • Insufficient resources (47 %)
  • Fear of retaliation (28%)
  • Stigma against women who speak out (20%)

When asked about the role that women play in preventing conflict, 77% of women agreed that they have a role to play in prevention. This ranged from 7% who said women have an important role, to 20% who asserted that women had a minor role, and 42% who shared that women have a moderate role to play in conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Poland. Photo credit: Women for Women International
South Sudan
individual women consulted

The youngest country in the world, South Sudan’s short history has been marked by political instability. Just two years after South Sudan’s independence in 2011, tensions between ethnic groups and news of an attempted coup led to violent clashes that quickly escalated into a civil war in 2013. The fighting intensified once more in 2016; by 2018, over 400,000 casualties were reported due to clashes born from political violence. The combination of ongoing intercommunal conflict, floods, drought, and famine compounded the impacts of the civil war and also eroded social and family structures.  Of the 9 million people estimated to be in ‘critical need’ in 2024, 24% are women. For women and girls, the worsening climate and deforestation place a greater risk on their safety, as they travel to forests in search of firewood to sell and cook with. Yet for many women, firewood is necessary for their livelihoods and to support their families. For generations, South Sudanese women have come of age during conflict and are targeted by armed groups for rape and physical violence.  Most perpetrators go unpunished for their crimes and survivors of physical and sexual violence are highly unlikely to receive justice or supportive services for their horrific ordeals. South Sudan adopted its first Women, Peace and Security (WPS) National Action Plan (NAP) in 2015 covering the period 2015-2020.

The surveys in South Sudan included 683 women respondents, all South Sudanese nationals. The largest age group represented was 26-35 years (40%), followed by 18-25 (30%) and 36-45 (21%). A smaller proportion of respondents were over 46 years old (9%). When asked about their occupations, it was clear that most women surveyed were not participating in income-generating activities or occupations with many women indicating that they are homemakers (26%), unemployed (16%), or engaged in subsistence farming (14%). However, 22% of women did indicate that they are business owners, 6% of women surveyed are employed in the formal sector, and 4% are employed in the informal sector. The education levels of the respondents varied, with most having completed only primary education (34%) or no formal education at all (28%), while fewer had attained secondary education (27%) or tertiary education (8%). Marital status also varied, with the majority being married (70%), and smaller percentages either single (13%), divorced/separated (10%), or widowed (6%).

The FGDs highlighted critical findings around women’s participation, protection, and hopes for the future. Participation in community decision-making is limited due to cultural norms, male dominance, and lack of confidence, though some women engage indirectly through savings groups and family decisions. Gender-based violence (GBV) emerged as a pervasive issue, with few formal mechanisms for justice and survivors primarily seeking help from family or local leaders. Displaced women face severe challenges, including lack of shelter, healthcare, and food, compounded by trauma and family separation. Economic instability and climate change worsened security and created barriers to women’s recovery and empowerment. However, there was a strong sense of hope for greater participation in peacebuilding, gender equality, and economic empowerment. Women expressed aspirations for leadership roles, better infrastructure, and stronger legal frameworks to support their efforts in fostering peace and security in their communities.

We consulted with 847 women in South Sudan for From Asking to Action. 683 women participated individually via our survey and 162 women participated in focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from two women-led organizations.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

99% of women we spoke to in South Sudan are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next 5 years, with just 1% thinking it will worsen.

Women in South Sudan say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (72%)
  • Food scarcity (60%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (36%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 31% of women surveyed in South Sudan have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

50% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in South Sudan when they:

  • Know that women impacted by conflict have been included in the design of a consultation (57% of women)
  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (48% of women)
Participation

Social norms constrain women’s participation in South Sudan, with 24% saying they significantly impact participation and 40% saying they moderately impact it. The kinds of social norms reported to most impact women’s participation are:

  • Discouraging women from speaking out in public (69%)
  • Limiting women’s roles to domestic responsibilities (60%)
  • Devaluing women’s opinions and contributions (57%)

The other common barriers to women’s participation reported by women in South Sudan are a lack of awareness about women’s rights to participate (67%) and knowledge of how to participate (65%).

Despite these barriers, a majority (75%) of women also say that their community is somewhat or very accepting of women participating in political activities or running for office, and 52% often or always feel safe participating in community activities.

The types of activities women most frequently reported participating in were:

  • Women’s group meetings (67%)
  • Community dialogues (38%)
  • Advocacy and awareness campaigns (35%)

To feel more confident participating in community activities in the future, women expressed a need for:

  • Training and capacity building (88%)
  • Legal support and protection (58%)
  • Support to participate in advocacy efforts (57%)
Protection

Violence against women and girls is highly prevalent in South Sudan, with the top three forms of violence reported as being:

  • Intimate partner violence (71%)
  • Child marriage (66%)
  • Forced marriage (61%)

Safety concerns also affect women’s mobility, although to varying degrees. Over a quarter (27%) of women report that women and girls (VAWG) are either ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ able to move around freely and safely in their community, while 31% report that they ‘mostly’ or ‘always’ can.

When VAWG occurs, it seems again that women in South Sudan are quite split in their responses as to whether women will seek support from available services, with 40% saying women will often or always seek help from formal institutions (police, legal aid, community welfare groups, etc.), while 21% say they ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ will. This may be partly because cases appear to be often handled at the community level – 70% of women consulted said that cases are effectively or very effectively handled at the community level.

Women’s key recommendations for improving their safety and protection are:

  • Increasing public awareness and education on women’s rights (79%)
  • Improving the presence of security and law enforcement (64%)
  • Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement (55%)
Prevention

We consulted with women experiencing varying levels of insecurity in South Sudan – 28.5% reported it was very or frequently insecure in their community; 57% said it was somewhat peaceful but with occasional security issues; and 14.5% said it was mostly or very peaceful and secure.

Overall, women feel that they can play some role in conflict prevention with only 14% saying women do not play any role. They mainly describe women in their community taking action through engagement in community dialogues and mediation (55%); advocating for peace (60%); seeking support from local authorities and institutions (60%); participating in awareness and education campaigns (54%); and organizing or leading women’s group meetings (54%). Amongst the women consulted, a significant proportion (33%) had directly participated in prevention efforts themselves.

In terms of the best methods to prevent conflict and insecurity, women in South Sudan prioritized the following:

  • Promotion of gender equality and women’s rights (82%)
  • Improving education and job opportunities (67%)
  • Promoting social cohesion (57%)
  • Strengthening local governance (55%)
  • Enhancing legal and justice systems (52%)

When talking about violence against women and girls specifically, consultation participants felt that to advocate against this, they most needed training and education (96%), community support (77%), and financial resources (64%).

 

Women engaging with the consultation process in South Sudan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Sudan
individual women consulted

On April 15, 2023, violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in Khartoum, Sudan. The outbreak of conflict and deadly clashes spreading around the country destabilized regions still recovering from war and political instability. Sudan is now experiencing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, hosting 13% of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally, currently the largest displacement crisis worldwide. Women describe detainment and rampant sexual abuse as militias invade the homes of families amid widespread death and fighting. The fighting has claimed the lives of more than 18,000 civilians, with 33,000 individuals sustaining injuries, and uprooted over 10.7 million people, including more than 1.5 million who have fled to neighboring countries like Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. Thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire, including women and children, are facing dehydration, hunger, and deteriorating health due to scarcity of water, food supplies, limited access to healthcare, and electricity outages. As of July 2024, almost 25 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, and over half the population faces acute hunger. There is famine in North Darfur, particularly in IDP camps like Zamzam, which was also bombarded by the SAF. Obstruction of humanitarian aid and bombardment of hospitals by both parties threaten even more lives. Sudan adopted its first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP) in March 2020 for the period 2020-2022.

The respondents for the survey, all from Sudan and mainly based in Al Qadarif, span diverse age groups and occupations. Most respondents (57%) are between the ages of 18 and 35, with 29% aged 18-25 and 28% aged 26-35. Smaller portions of respondents are between 36-45 (25%), 46-55 (10%), and 56 and above (6%). Most respondents are either housewives (32%) or unemployed (23%), reflecting the socioeconomic realities of limited incomes for many women in conflict-affected regions. Educational backgrounds are varied with almost half (48%) having attained higher education, followed by 26% with secondary education, while 16% completed primary education. A small number of respondents had no formal education (4%). Marital status is nearly evenly split between single (39%) and married (47%) women, with smaller numbers identifying as divorced, widowed, or the wife of a missing/disappeared person.

The key informant interviews (KIIs) provide a comprehensive understanding of the work and challenges faced by women-led organizations in Sudan like Sudanese Organisation for Research and Development (SORD). SORD focuses on gender-responsive reforms, advocating for women’s participation in public and private life despite restrictive socio-cultural norms and government policies. Their work spans areas like legal aid, psychosocial support, and violence prevention, particularly addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict settings. Collaboration with men and boys is a crucial strategy in shifting harmful norms and building a more inclusive movement for gender equality. SORD emphasizes meaningful consultation via inclusive, accessible spaces for women and marginalized groups in conflict zones in their programs and advocacy. Despite facing significant funding and power dynamic challenges from international actors, SORD remains resilient. They advocate for more direct, flexible, and core support for local organizations and highlight the urgent need for inclusive, grassroots-led peace processes to prevent further fragmentation and conflict and build a long-lasting peace.

We consulted with 305 women in Sudan for From Asking to Action. 204 women participated individually via our survey and 100 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted an in-depth key informant interview with staff from one women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

80% of women we spoke to in Sudan are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years, while 19% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Sudan say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (63%)
  • Food scarcity (47%)
  • Forced displacement (42%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, just over half of women surveyed in Sudan (51%) have not participated in any form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

33% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so. Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Sudan when they:

  • Gain new knowledge and skills through the process (41%)
  • Know that conflict-affected women participated in designing the consultation process (39%)
  • Have a clear understanding of how their input will be used (28%)
Participation

Women in Sudan reported that the greatest barriers to their participation in community life are:

  • Harmful cultural norms and traditions (42%)
  • Lack of education and awareness of women’s right to participate (39%)
  • Lack of education and awareness about how and where to participate (39%)

When exploring this in more depth, the social norms or traditions that women felt most suppress their voice are:

  • Preventing women from speaking out (47%)
  • Restriction of women’s role to domestic responsibilities (39%)
  • Stigmatization of women who participate in political life (33%)
  • Women’s opinions and contributions being diminished (33%)
  • Women being expected to prioritize family over career (31%)

These challenges may be further compounded by safety concerns – with 36% of women reporting rarely or never feeling safe when participating in community activities – as well as by economic factors, particularly their limited access to educational opportunities, reduced decision-making power, and financial dependence on others.

Despite these challenges, the consultation found that roughly a quarter of women had participated in each of these community activities: mediation and conflict resolution (27%); advocacy and awareness campaigns (22%); community dialogues (25%); and women’s group meetings (25%).

Women identified the following as the most important methods for ensuring women’s representation, participation, and leadership:

  • Having more women in leadership positions within community decision-making structures (45%), international organizations (31%) and national organizations (30%)
  • Consulting with women regularly (41%)
  • Regular participation of women in community meetings and forums (29%)
Protection

Overall, women in Sudan are facing high levels of insecurity with 62% saying their community is ‘very’ or ‘often’ insecure. Women experience varied levels of mobility, with 18% reporting women and girls can always move freely and safely in their community, while 56% say they can do so only sometimes and 15% report they never can.

The most common forms of violence that those consulted felt women in their community experience are:

  • Intimate partner violence (89%)
  • Rape (57%)
  • Psychological violence (51%)

Further compounding these challenges, a majority of women (54%) felt that cases of violence against women and girls are dealt with ineffectively or very ineffectively. 29% reported that cases are dealt with effectively but with some delay, while only 16% felt they are handled very effectively.

The most important actions that women said should be taken to ensure the protection and safety of women in their community are:

  • Increasing public awareness and education about women’s rights (59%)
  • Strengthening and enforcing legal frameworks (50%)
  • Providing more shelters and safe spaces for women (46%)

Women felt that communities and local, national, and international organizations can best support women to tackle VAWG by:

  • Conducting awareness-raising campaigns (64%)
  • Providing financial support (53%)
  • Providing legal assistance (51%)
Prevention

Women in Sudan appear to be active in efforts to prevent VAWG in their community, with 57% of those consulted reporting that they or someone they know has been involved in efforts. When it comes to wider conflict prevention, opinions are more split, with 22% of women surveyed saying that women in their community play no role in preventing conflicts, while 46% say women play a major or moderate role.

The types of actions women are reported to take to avoid conflict escalation are:

  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (60%)
  • Participate in community dialogues and mediation (32%)
  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (28%)
  • Organize and lead women’s group meetings (28%)

When asked which measures they consider to be the most effective in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity, women prioritized the following:

  • Promoting gender equality and women’s rights (53%)
  • Strengthening legal and justice systems (47%)
  • Improving education and employment opportunities (46%)
Women engaging with the consultation process in Sudan. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Syria
individual women consulted

A peaceful uprising against the president of Syria over ten years ago evolved into a full-scale civil war. The violent clash between government-backed forces and protesters has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, devastated cities and forced the flight of millions of Syrians to safety. With this resurgence of violence in Syria, women and girls are more vulnerable to brutality, sexual violence, and conditions of extreme poverty. According to OCHA, 4.2 million people are in need in north-west Syria; 3.6 million people are food-insecure; 3.5 million people are internally displaced, with 2 million IDPs living in camps; and 1 million children are out-of-school. For 10 years, Syria was the world’s largest refugee crisis. On February 6, 2023, an earthquake in Turkey and Syria claimed the lives of over 56,000 civilians and left millions without homes. The devastation created by the earthquake exacerbates the daily challenges affecting women and girls already amid the ongoing civil war. The Associated Press reported that 7 million women and girls were already in need of support for their health, and against physical and sexual violence before the earthquake. Syria has not developed or adopted a Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (NAP).

The consultation process with Syrian women, which included 257 respondents, revealed several key demographic insights. Most women surveyed reside in the Idlib governorate (64%), and others live in Aleppo (9%) and the Damascus countryside (9%). A majority of the women (48%) are aged 26-35 and most (65%) are married. Educational levels were relatively high, with 57% having completed higher education. The higher levels of education did not translate to higher levels of formal income as 33% of respondents identified as housewives and only 17% were employed in the formal sector. This reflects the broader impact of conflict on women’s participation in the workforce. Many women reported facing significant barriers to participation in public and political life, primarily due to restrictive social norms. These norms discourage women from speaking publicly (53%) and limit their roles to domestic responsibilities (67%). Despite these barriers, women expressed a strong desire for greater involvement in decision-making, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive reforms in both public life and civic engagement.

The key informant interviews (KIIs) reinforced these findings, underscoring the challenges women face in participating in peacebuilding and leadership activities. Women’s rights organizations (WROs) have implemented community-based strategies to increase women’s participation, but logistical challenges, such as mobility restrictions and household responsibilities, continue to hinder involvement. In terms of protection, women emphasized the importance of strengthening legal frameworks, increasing public awareness, and providing safe spaces. Gender-based violence remains a pressing issue, with a significant portion of respondents calling for more shelters and services to support survivors. In the realm of relief and recovery, access to comprehensive healthcare, economic empowerment programs, and education were identified as critical needs. Despite the ongoing conflict and displacement, 64% of women expressed hope for a better future, focusing on the end of conflict and the reconstruction of their communities.

We consulted with 258 women in Syria for From Asking to Action. 257 women participated individually via our survey. The current security situation made it difficult to gather women in groups, so we did not conduct focus group discussions. We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

64% of women we spoke to in Syria are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 22% of women surveyed expect things to stay the same and 14% of women anticipate their situation worsening.

Women in Syria say that the top three obstacles they expect to prevent an improvement in their quality of life are:

  • War, conflict, and insecurity (70%)
  • Loss of economic opportunities (59%)
  • Forced displacement (42%)
Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 88% of the women surveyed in Syria have participated some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives. The most common type of consultation women in Syria engage with are focus group discussions (47%).

46% of women surveyed would find it meaningful to be able to participate solely because it is their fundamental right to do so.

Consultation is also ‘meaningful’ to women in Syria when they:

  • Know that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process, or were involved themselves (74%)
  • Feeling that my opinions and experiences are genuinely valued and considered (43%)
  • See tangible changes and improvements as a result of the engagement (42%)
Participation

While 21% of women in Syria reported that they do not participate in any community activities, 46% of women surveyed participate in community dialogues, 44% in advocacy and awareness campaigns, and 42% in mediation and conflict resolution.

This level of participation is likely to be connected to the fact that 35% of women surveyed in Syria ‘often’ feel safe when participating in community activities and 45% reported ‘sometimes’ feeling safe. It is worth also recognizing that 9% of women reported that they ‘never’ (2%) or ‘rarely’ (7%) felt safe participating in community activities.

Almost all women surveyed in Syria feel that social norms limit women’s participation to varying degrees with 31% of women believing ‘significantly’ so, 54% ‘moderately’ so, and 15% ‘slightly’ so.

The social norms they identified as most restricting women’s participation in Syria:

  • The discouragement of women speaking up in public forums (50%)
  • Restrictions on women’s access to education and leadership (45%)
  • Denying women the right to inherit land or property (39%)
  • Excluding women from community meetings or initiatives (34%)

In contrast, women identified the following as the most important enablers of women’s participation:

  • Increased legal support and protection (72%)
  • Consulting with women on a regular basis (42%)
  • Training and capacity building (71%)
Protection

For the women we surveyed in Syria mobility is somewhat restricted, with over half of women (51%) reporting they ‘sometimes’ feel safe to move freely in their community. 14% of women shared they ‘rarely’ feel safe to move in their community, and 34% of women most of the time feel safe to move freely in their community.

Violence against women is also prevalent in Syria with the top forms of violence reported as:

  • Intimate partner violence (77%)
  • Denial of women’s inheritance (including farmland) (48%)
  • Sexual exploitation or abuse (47%
  • Denial of women’s economic empowerment(43%).

73% of women in Syria reported that unemployment is a key driver of violence against women, along with alcohol abuse (60%) and harmful social norms and cultural traditions (53%). 100% of women agreed that child marriage is a common problem in Syria, likely also related to both the circumstances of poverty and social norms.

Despite reporting a high incidence of violence against women, not all women reported regularly seeking protection support from formal mechanisms and institutions in dealing with these forms of violence (e.g. policy, legal aid, community welfare groups etc.). 33% of women ‘rarely’ seek protection support and 54% only sometimes seek support.  Only 3% of those surveyed said women always seek support.

Women in Syria reported that stigma related to violence against women is the top reason that women do not seek help or protection against such violence (76%). 61% of women also reported a lack of awareness of rights preventing women from seeking support from security mechanisms.

Prevention

30% of women said that they had never participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, but 24% said they had personally participated in efforts, 36% said someone they know has participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, and 11% said they had personally participated and knew someone else who participated.

Women in Syria shared the challenges they’ve faced in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls:

  • Stigma against women who speak out and risk to their reputation (97%)
  • Insufficient resources(75%)
  • Lack of awareness and education(73%)

When asked about the actions that women take in the case of conflict and crisis to ensure it does not escalate or worsen, women in Syria report that they:

  • Seek support from local authorities and institutions (81%)
  • Engage in community dialogues and mediation(73%)
  • Advocate for peace and conflict resolution (69%)
  • Participate in awareness and education campaigns (64%)
  • Form alliances with other community groups (61%)

81% of women confirmed that women in their community play a role in conflict prevention, either a key role (3%), a moderate role (18%), or a small role (60%).

Women surveyed in Syria believe that the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights (80%) and enhancing legal and justice systems (74%) are most effective in preventing and responding to conflict and insecurity.

Woman engaging with the consultation process in Syria. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Ukraine
individual women consulted

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, almost 6.5 million Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, making this the world’s fastest and one of the largest human displacement crises since World War II. Two years later, women and children make up the majority of those internally displaced and faced with starting a new life in neighboring countries. According to OCHA, about 40% of Ukraine’s population – some 14.6 million people – will need humanitarian assistance in 2024. Around 3.7 million people are internally displaced. Allegations of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine are commonplace. Women survivors of sexual violence and those who have been displaced are finding it difficult to come to terms with their trauma. They need urgent psychological and medical help and vital practical support to rebuild their lives. Women are at the forefront of the emergency response, as well as active in peacebuilding, mediation, and monitoring of the human rights situation. Their work is carried out against a backdrop of increasing gender-based violence of all forms, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and trafficking, resulting from the multiple and intersecting impacts of the conflict, including lack of access to services, livelihoods, increased caregiving obligations, and lack of access to adequate shelter. Ukraine published a second National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2020-2025 after its first NAP, for the period 2016-2020, ended.

The survey involved 123 participants from Ukraine. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to over 56 years, with the majority between 36 and 45 years (34%) and 46 to 55 years (30%). Regarding occupation, 37% were officially employed, 14% were unemployed, and 16% worked in unofficial roles, with business owners making up 12%. Most participants (71%) had higher education degrees, while only a small percentage had primary or secondary education. In terms of marital status, 60% were married, and 13% were unmarried, while 1% were divorced, and 7% were widowed.

In focus group discussions (FGDs), the women highlighted the significant barriers they faced due to their status as an internally displaced person (IDP), particularly in decision-making and civic engagement. They expressed frustration at being marginalized by host communities, with local authorities often excluding them from meaningful participation in governance and the locals seeing them as outsiders. Financial pressures, such as working multiple jobs to afford rent, leaves them unable to engage in leadership or community activities. Despite these challenges, some women proposed self-organizing into self-help groups specifically for IDP women to advocate for their rights. Additionally, gender-based violence was a recurring issue that exacerbates their vulnerability. However, because of their shaky status as IDPs, distrust of local authorities, and a fear of social stigma, many women do not report incidents of GBV. One woman describes, “I faced harassment at work, but I stayed quiet because I need the job.” Women’s economic insecurity is described as intimately connected to women’s vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. Despite losing their homes and livelihoods due to war, many women reported significant challenges in accessing basic services, including housing, healthcare, and psychological support. Many women emphasize the need for women’s economic empowerment programs and livelihood support as a foundation for rebuilding their lives, but also call for long-term solutions that go beyond immediate humanitarian aid and focus on sustainable development and inclusive peacebuilding.

We consulted with 153 women in Ukraine for From Asking to Action. 123 women participated individually via our survey and 30 women participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). We also conducted in-depth key informant interviews with staff and representatives from 1 women-led organization.

Hopes for the future and top 3 obstacles to improved quality of life

46% of Ukrainian women surveyed shared with us that they are hopeful that their circumstances will improve in the next five years. 14% of women we spoke to expect things to stay the same and 41% anticipate their situation worsening.

Ukrainian women referenced a range of obstacles that they expect to prevent an improvement to their quality of life with war, conflict, and danger being the most significant at 95% and loss of economic opportunity and forced displacement also ranking high.

Meaningful Consultation

Over the past 12 months, 87% of Ukrainian women have participated in some form of consultation on decisions affecting their lives.

For Ukrainian women, ‘meaningful’ consultation means “When you get a clear direction for action, confirmed by your own judgment and feelings” and “one that has certain results: a resolution, a further action plan, the development of current plans, strategic programs, both individual and scaled.” Ukrainian women also referenced key principles for meaningful consultation including a consultation tailored to the needs of the people engaging with it.

Participation

Women surveyed presented an interesting outlook on women’s participation in community activities, with 29% of women responding that they ‘often’ feel safe to participate in community activities and 28% feeling either ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ safe to participate in community activities, the remaining 36% ‘sometimes’ feel safe and 6% ‘always’ feel safe. We asked women if they felt social norms restricted their participation, and 80% of women indicated that social norms have either a ‘moderate’ or ‘substantial’ impact on women’s opportunities and participation in public life.

Women’s views on the impact of social norms on women’s participate in public life correlate with women’s freedom of expression inside their homes. 65% of women surveyed shared that they could ‘somewhat’ freely express their opinions with 15% sharing they could ‘minimally’ express their opinions, 17% could ‘often’ express their opinions. These findings could suggest that social norms and practices that impact women’s participation are embedded in both the domestic and public spheres in Ukraine.

Despite this, 13% of women surveyed shared that they don’t participate in any community activities. While some women reported participating in women’s group meetings, it is important to contextualize these figures amidst broader social trends for women living in Ukraine. For example, 79% of women surveyed shared that there is not an equal division of family and childcare responsibilities, but rather that women are responsible for a greater share of those responsibilities. Similarly, 40% of women surveyed shared that they have limited control over their personal or household finances and instead their husbands or the men in their life take control over financial decisions.

Protection

74% of Ukrainian displaced women shared that they believe women and girls always move freely and safely in their communities for the most part with 20% stating just sometimes and 6% sharing they never move freely.

41% of women surveyed in Ukraine shared that they have not been impacted by violence against women. This number was contextualized in interviews with the insight that many women express hesitancy to report or seek support for gender-based violence or intimate partner violence during war because they do not perceive it as important enough to prioritize within the broader context of active warfare.

While child marriage can be a form of violence practiced against women and girls in conflict-affected contexts, Ukrainian women did not report it as a risk for them. 98% of respondents shared that child marriage is not practiced in their communities.

Prevention

While 41% of women surveyed indicated not being impacted by violence, most women surveyed did not express much trust in the support and reporting mechanisms available for women experiencing gender-based violence. 71% of women said they think that such mechanisms are either ineffective or very ineffective with significant delays in response or achieving justice. 28% of women said they think the reporting mechanisms are effective but there are still delays in response.

43% of women also said that they had never participated in efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in their community. It is therefore noteworthy that a number of women reported facing challenges in doing so, particularly due to insufficient resources, lack of awareness and education as well as a fear of retaliation.

When asked about the role that women play in preventing conflict, 87% of women agreed that they have a role to play in prevention with 6% who said women have an ‘important’ role, 47% saying women have a ‘minor’ role, and 34% who shared that women have a ‘moderate’ role to play in conflict prevention. Only 10% of women surveyed shared that women don’t have a role to play in conflict prevention.

Women engaging with the consultation process in Ukraine. Photo credit: Women for Women International
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Overview of process
What does meaningful consultation mean to us?

All women have a fundamental right to be able to meaningfully participate in discussions and processes that will shape and impact their lives. Despite this, decision-makers often engage women in ways that are extractive, tokenistic and disempowering – and that’s when consultations happen at all.

Women’s voice, participation and leadership is central to our approach to building an enabling environment that is more conducive to upholding women’s rights and achieving equality, peace and justice. Not only do we aim to transform norms, policies, laws and processes – but we believe that women themselves should be driving forward what those transformations should look like.

We have long advocated that consultation and engagement processes can only be ‘meaningful’ when women and women’s rights organizations are engaged as equal partners in their planning and implementation; able to set and shape agendas; and supported to participate through a varied and context specific methodologies.

Women should be represented in all their diversity, and they should be prepared and reimbursed for their time and inputs. Participation should be accessible, ensuring women’s needs are met, and be safe, empowering and respectful.

Crucially, knowledge and learning that emerges from consultation processes should be shared back with those who informed them, and women should experience tangible outcomes through their engagement.

Guided by these principles, ‘From Asking to Action’ was co-created with a bold group of women’s rights advocates and organizations who were involved in defining the consultation scope, designing the consultation tools and ensuring that the findings are reflective of their lived experiences.

Step 01
Consultation design

We began the process by collaborating with Change Agents – women trained by Women for Women International in advocacy and leadership. Through this training, women become community leaders who identify the changes they want to see and create action plans to use their voices and experiences to influence change.

We utilized their expertise to shape the consultation’s scope and tools, conducting participatory workshops in Nigeria, Iraq and South Sudan, and interviews in DRC. They provided insights on key topics, target audiences and effective engagement strategies. Alongside these workshops, we connected with various women’s rights organizations in other countries for further input and recommendations for our consultation design.

Step 02
Creating the consultation tools

Based on the recommendations from Change Agents, we drafted a survey, focus group discussion guide and key informant interview guide to use for the consultation. They covered a broad range of topics that were raised as priorities by Change Agents throughout the design process. The draft tools were shared with partner women’s rights organizations and Women for Women International colleagues for detailed review, whilst concurrently being pilot tested with a range of women in South Sudan. Based on the feedback from the pilot and reviews, significant revisions were made to the tools to simplify and streamline them for optimal accessibility and relevance.

Step 03
Talking to women

Once the tools were finalized, (virtual) trainings were conducted (accommodating different languages and timezones) for those who would be using them to consult with women. This included 16 partner organizations, Women for Women International colleagues, and data collectors across a total of 14 countries. Based on guidance from Change Agents on how to reach the most marginalized women in their communities, consultations were conducted in locations that included rural and urban areas, active conflict zones, refugee camps, host communities and fragile or post-conflict locations.

Step 04
Analyzing the data

As consultation data was received from across the breadth of locations, we began reviewing it to synthesize key findings. Using a range of techniques to analyze the quantitative survey data and qualitative information from focus groups and interviews, patterns and key recommendations developed. We focused on analyzing information from each country separately, before looking at the global picture emerging.

Step 05
Verifying our findings

As preliminary findings were drawn out for each location, these were shared back with the teams who led and input to the consultations for verification. We sought to ensure that there were no anomalies in the messaging and recommendations emerging, and that these aligned with what they were hearing. Once we have done more detailed analysis, we will be working closely with Change Agents and women’s rights organization partners to verify the findings and strategize on next steps before being shared more widely.

Step 06
Moving from asking to action

This participatory consultation is just the first step in transforming women’s ideas and recommendations into action. As we continue to delve into the rich insight that has been collected, it will be utilized – in partnership with women advocates and women’s rights organizations – in a variety of ways to support women’s advocacy at community, national, regional and global levels. We will continue to collaborate with partners, Change Agents and others to share the findings in different ways and leverage the recommendations of women in conflict-affected communities with decision-makers at every level to drive action and influence decision-making at every level.

Overview of process
What does meaningful consultation mean to us?

All women have a fundamental right to be able to meaningfully participate in discussions and processes that will shape and impact their lives. Despite this, decision-makers often engage women in ways that are extractive, tokenistic and disempowering – and that’s when consultations happen at all.

Women’s voice, participation and leadership is central to our approach to building an enabling environment that is more conducive to upholding women’s rights and achieving equality, peace and justice. Not only do we aim to transform norms, policies, laws and processes – but we believe that women themselves should be driving forward what those transformations should look like.

We have long advocated that consultation and engagement processes can only be ‘meaningful’ when women and women’s rights organizations are engaged as equal partners in their planning and implementation; able to set and shape agendas; and supported to participate through a varied and context specific methodologies.

Women should be represented in all their diversity, and they should be prepared and reimbursed for their time and inputs. Participation should be accessible, ensuring women’s needs are met, and be safe, empowering and respectful.

Crucially, knowledge and learning that emerges from consultation processes should be shared back with those who informed them, and women should experience tangible outcomes through their engagement.

Guided by these principles, ‘From Asking to Action’ was co-created with a bold group of women’s rights advocates and organizations who were involved in defining the consultation scope, designing the consultation tools and ensuring that the findings are reflective of their lived experiences.

Step 01
Consultation design

We began the process by collaborating with Change Agents – women trained by Women for Women International in advocacy and leadership. Through this training, women become community leaders who identify the changes they want to see and create action plans to use their voices and experiences to influence change.

We utilized their expertise to shape the consultation’s scope and tools, conducting participatory workshops in Nigeria, Iraq and South Sudan, and interviews in DRC. They provided insights on key topics, target audiences and effective engagement strategies. Alongside these workshops, we connected with various women’s rights organizations in other countries for further input and recommendations for our consultation design.

Step 02
Creating the consultation tools

Based on the recommendations from Change Agents, we drafted a survey, focus group discussion guide and key informant interview guide to use for the consultation. They covered a broad range of topics that were raised as priorities by Change Agents throughout the design process. The draft tools were shared with partner women’s rights organizations and Women for Women International colleagues for detailed review, whilst concurrently being pilot tested with a range of women in South Sudan. Based on the feedback from the pilot and reviews, significant revisions were made to the tools to simplify and streamline them for optimal accessibility and relevance.

Step 03
Talking to women

Once the tools were finalized, (virtual) trainings were conducted (accommodating different languages and timezones) for those who would be using them to consult with women. This included 16 partner organizations, Women for Women International colleagues, and data collectors across a total of 14 countries. Based on guidance from Change Agents on how to reach the most marginalized women in their communities, consultations were conducted in locations that included rural and urban areas, active conflict zones, refugee camps, host communities and fragile or post-conflict locations.

Step 04
Analyzing the data

As consultation data was received from across the breadth of locations, we began reviewing it to synthesize key findings. Using a range of techniques to analyze the quantitative survey data and qualitative information from focus groups and interviews, patterns and key recommendations developed. We focused on analyzing information from each country separately, before looking at the global picture emerging.

Step 05
Verifying our findings

As preliminary findings were drawn out for each location, these were shared back with the teams who led and input to the consultations for verification. We sought to ensure that there were no anomalies in the messaging and recommendations emerging, and that these aligned with what they were hearing. Once we have done more detailed analysis, we will be working closely with Change Agents and women’s rights organization partners to verify the findings and strategize on next steps before being shared more widely.

Step 06
Moving from asking to action

This participatory consultation is just the first step in transforming women’s ideas and recommendations into action. As we continue to delve into the rich insight that has been collected, it will be utilized – in partnership with women advocates and women’s rights organizations – in a variety of ways to support women’s advocacy at community, national, regional and global levels. We will continue to collaborate with partners, Change Agents and others to share the findings in different ways and leverage the recommendations of women in conflict-affected communities with decision-makers at every level to drive action and influence decision-making at every level.

Meet some of our
contributors
Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG), Burkina Faso’ Read More
Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG), Burkina Faso’

Who? Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG) Association for the Promotion of Women in Gaoua

Where do they work? In the south-west region of Burkina Faso

Women Now for Development, Syria Read More
Women Now for Development, Syria

Who? Women Now for Development

Where do they work? Syria and with Syrian women who have been displaced to Lebanon and Turkey

Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Afghanistan Read More
Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Afghanistan

Who? Kabul Orthopedic Institute

Where do they work? Afghanistan

Change Agents, Nigeria Read More
Change Agents, Nigeria

Who? Change Agents in Nigeria

Where do they work? Plateau State, Nigeria

Root of Generations, South Sudan Read More
Root of Generations, South Sudan

Who? Root of Generations

Where do they work? South Sudan, across all ten states, with a support office in Juba and field offices in Eastern Equatoria State and Central Equatoria State

Wefaq, Palestine Read More
Wefaq, Palestine

Who? Wefaq

Where do they work? Gaza, Palestine

Key recommendations

Decision-makers – including local and national government, donors, service providers and the international community – should meet their existing commitments to enabling women’s participation by:

  • Regularly and meaningfully consulting with women affected by conflict before, during, and after conflict – not as an afterthought;
  • Funding programs that address the barriers to women’s participation, and including women in their design and delivery;
  • Supporting existing platforms and safe spaces for women’s participation and engagement, as well as facilitating the creation of new ones where they do not already exist;
  • Committing to safeguarding practices and protection for women who do participate, but ensuring that women’s protection is not utilized as a means of excluding women from participating.

Improve women’s protection in conflict and crisis settings by:

  • Increasing public awareness and education on women’s rights and gender equality to protect women and girls from violence and reduce retaliation and social stigma against survivors;
  • Strengthening legal frameworks, institutions and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and address violence against women and girls so that survivors can access support, services and justice;
  • Creating economic empowerment opportunities for women that are co-designed by communities to support women’s resilience and resistance against violence against women and girls.

Address the root causes of restrictions to women’s participation, violence and broader conflict and insecurity by:

  • Prioritizing the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, economic development programs, improved education and job opportunities, and social cohesion as part of conflict-prevention measures;
  • Investing in gender-transformational social norms programs to address root causes of violence against women and girls to increase awareness and education, encourage community and family support for survivors, and reduce stigma against women and allies who speak out against harmful practices;
  • Supporting women to participate in violence and conflict prevention activities by providing trainings, financial resources for local efforts and more community support.

Provide increased and targeted support to local civil society and humanitarian organizations, including women’s rights and women-led organizations, who provide gender-sensitive and life-saving assistance by:

  • Providing increased, flexible, and direct funding to women-led and women-focused organizations;
  • Involving women in the design and delivery of relief and recovery aid and programs;
  • Ensuring that gender analyses informs the design and delivery of relief and recovery programs and services to ensure that these efforts reach marginalized women and girls;
  • Including education and skills training, economic empowerment and trauma counseling and psychosocial support as priorities within the scope of relief and recovery efforts.
Change Agent in Nigeria. Photo credit: Sefa Nkansa
What’s next?

When we asked women what would make consultation feel meaningful to them, 49% of women said participation alone – since it would be exercising their right to participate in decisions that impact their lives. However, the other top reasons that emerged were knowing that women affected by conflict have been involved in the design of the consultation process; having a clear understanding of how their input will be used, and gaining new knowledge and skills through the process. And, crucially, seeing tangible action as a result of their participation.

This insight will guide the next phases of this project – setting out a pathway to go from asking to action. We will start by establishing a feedback loop where we can share back the findings with the women who participated, and collaborating with the women’s rights advocates and organizations we have co-designed and led this project with to develop action plans based on the priorities that have emerged.

Participants engaging in the consultation process in Burkina Faso. Photo credit: APFG
Participants engaging in the consultation process in Syria. Photo credit: Women Now for Development
Participants engaging in the consultation process in Afghanistan. Photo credit: Kabul Orthopaedic Organization
Change Agents in Nigeria engaging in the consultation process. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Consultation participants in South Sudan. Photo credit: Root of Generations
Consultation in Palestine. Photo credit: Wefaq
Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG), Burkina Faso’

Who? Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG) Association for the Promotion of Women in Gaoua

Where do they work? In the south-west region of Burkina Faso

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’: Fed into the design of the consultation tools and consulted with a total of 200 women in Burkina Faso. This included collecting 100 surveys from their program participants in Burkina Faso and holding 10 focus group discussions with 100 women. The APFG team also participated in an in-depth interview about their work and approach to ‘meaningful consultation’.

APFG is no stranger to consultations. They involve women in the design and implementation of their organizational activities in each community where they operate so that women can be involved in identifying problems, proposing solutions, implementing activities through a women-led, community-based management committee, and then evaluating the programs together at the conclusion of each project.

Through being led by the priorities of the community, and of women in particular, APFG’s work has covered a range of issues relating to women’s rights and empowerment – for example, ending early and child marriage, improving access to education for women and girls, preventing female genital mutilation (FGM) and supporting women to access micro-credit to enable them to begin profit-generating activities. They do this through a variety of approaches, including capacity strengthening, training and awareness raising.

Women and girls themselves engage local authorities and traditional and religious leaders on addressing harmful cultural practices “community observatories” – an inclusive community meeting where the community invites community leaders or stakeholders to discuss topics such as conflict management, peace and social cohesion with women. Men and boys have also been supportive of APFG’s activities and have come on board as allies in promoting positive masculinity.

APFG operates at the intersection of harmful gender norms and the weakening of institutions and legal frameworks by conflict. They facilitate dialogues between men and women to change mindsets about a range of issues identified by women and girls themselves such as girls’ rights to education or women’s land ownership. In addition to cultivating male allies, they provide technical support to the justice system and institutions to ensure accountability for GBV cases. This holistic approach to addressing social norms and institutions has led to increased social awareness and support for tackling GBV and increased trust in the local authorities, which has encouraged more people to report cases of GBV.

APFG believes women can and should lead, and that the international community should listen to conflict-affected communities and let them define their own priorities. APFG also believes that working as a collective will achieve greater and more impactful results than individual organizations working on their own. To that end, APFG has helped to create and lead a regional network – the West African Network of Associations and NGOs Fighting Gender-Based Violence – consisting of 12 organizations based across five countries in West Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso). In the three years since the regional network in West Africa was formed in 2021, the members have been able to share best practices and innovative ideas on how to effectively combat GBV in their countries and communities while amplifying women’s voices and promoting their leadership.

 

Quotes:

“International NGOs need to be closer to women, and local organizations need more funding because they are closer to the beneficiaries.”

“We act as the spokespeople of the community – our strategies and mission are based on the wishes of the community.”

“Consultation must be participatory, taking into account the opinions of women at all levels and from all walks of life.”

Women Now for Development, Syria

Who? Women Now for Development

Where do they work? Syria and with Syrian women who have been displaced to Lebanon and Turkey

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’ project: Fed into the design of the consultation tools and conducted consultations with 257 Syrian women inside Syria via surveys. The Women Now for Development team also participated in an in-depth interview about their work and their approach to ‘meaningful consultations’.

“Meaningful engagement” is embedded within the mission statement of Women Now for Development (Women Now). Women Now is self-described as an organization which aims to engender the development of a society governed by democracy, freedom, and justice- a society where women have a meaningful role in everyday Syrian life. But what does meaningful’ mean to Women Now and the Syrian women they work with?

  • Equitable – treats women as equal partners
  • Context specific – is rooted in intersectional knowledge
  • Conflict sensitive – considers protection and safety/security concerns

Women Now pursues its mission by advancing work across four main axes: protection, empowerment, political and social participation for women, and research and advocacy.

In Lebanon, Women Now piloted a community organizing model to inform their support for a local, women-led advocacy campaign to end child marriage. The leaders of this campaign were women formerly considered ‘victims’ – women who themselves were subjected to or affected by child marriage in some way.

This community organizing model then became central to their approach across all four axes in which they enable women to lead, starting with the project or campaign design and implementation of their initiatives, while also providing holistic support for the women leading change in each context. Women Now considers their main role to be supporting women with the tools they need to design and implement their strategies and the physical and metaphorical space necessary to identify the most important issues for their community and strategize together about the necessary steps to address them.

They often also support women in facilitating formal and informal consultations with women leaders in the communities or setting up meetings with the local municipality structures to mitigate the potential for possible backlash against the women’s campaigns.

Even in their emergency response to the 2023 earthquake in Syria and Turkey, Women Now engaged women as key actors in their crisis response. It was women-led initiatives that responded to the critical needs resulting from the earthquake in northwest Syria and women who coordinated distribution teams. By partnering with women-led initiatives, they were able to reach the most impacted geographic areas and groups within communities. Especially in places of complex acute and prolonged conflict and crisis, like Syria, it is critical to engage women not just as vulnerable, in-need populations but as key actors and leaders in crisis response.

Women Now plans to continue deploying this participatory methodology in its forthcoming campaigns to address gender-based violence (GBV) – particularly domestic violence – in northeast and northwest Syria. The plans are still in their early stages – so far, they know that the first step will be to give space to women who have been affected by GBV to lead the effort – not as beneficiaries but as campaign and project designers. Once the first step is complete, it will be these same women who tell Women Now what step two looks like.

 

Quotes:

“Women are not monoliths.”

“Before this methodology, the people – mainly women – were considered as victims, but here they are leaders.”

“The struggle for women’s rights cannot be separated from struggle for peace and democracy.”

“We hate the saying or the idea that we are the voice of the voiceless. Our main concern in the work is that we understand our different resources and privileges and we try always to use them to give the women we work with channels and platforms to own and just speak for themselves and on behalf of themselves, not us on behalf of them.”

“We have an approach that we’re working on and we have projects that we worked with, but it’s very crucial actually for this kind of work to be more flexible, to have more space to, to actually work participatory and no, the needs sometimes just knowing the needs before starting the project can we can meet with people, we can ask. Things are changing very fast -economic situations, political or social things are really not stable and I feel sometimes these restrictions really restrict us from working, and make our life more complicated, because it’s enough to work in such situation and it’s very overwhelming, so having flexible, supportive partners, supporters, donors, that’s one of the very important thing that always it’s needed.”

Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Afghanistan

Who? Kabul Orthopedic Institute

Where do they work? Afghanistan

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’: Consulted with 74 women in Afghanistan. Collected 50 surveys and held 2 focus group discussions with 24 women. The Institute’s team also participated in an in-depth interview about their work and approach to ‘meaningful consultation’.

The Kabul Orthopedic Institute is an Afghan welfare NGO that runs various activities including orthopedic workshops, physiotherapy services, physical rehabilitation services, enhancing the professional knowledge of its employees, and building and maintaining strong relationships with domestic and international institutions. It focuses on women and children living with disabilities to help them to reintegrate into society despite the significant challenges they face both due to gender and disability.

The Institute has successfully supported many individuals with physical disabilities, of whom 70% are women and children. Providing health and rehabilitation services to women with permanent and temporary disabilities enables them to eventually achieve independence in their daily lives, contribute to their families’ livelihoods, and overall aid in Afghanistan’s development as active members of society.

Women are actively involved in delivering the Institute’s services and play a significant role in assisting their peers. This makes women more comfortable in receiving them. Women are also directly involved in designing and implementing the Institute’s activities at various levels, from leadership to indirect contributions through evaluations and feedback.

The Kabul Orthopedic Institute is led by women who are active members of women’s rights organizations and who work toward the protection and promotion of women’s and girls’ rights through advocacy and awareness-raising activities, such as educational programs. Their efforts are aimed at preventing violence against women and girls and ensuring that women and girls receive some form of education despite current restrictions on women and girls pursuing secondary and higher education.

The Institute has had its fair share of challenges operating in the current political environment in Afghanistan, following the Taliban takeover in 2021. Harmful political and socio-economic factors, which were already existent before the Taliban takeover, have limited opportunities for women’s participation and empowerment in the country. In addition, the de facto government has created various challenges for women, exacerbating violence and failing to uphold women’s rights. Instead, women’s rights have been severely curtailed in various aspects of their lives, further reducing the chances for women to realize their full potential and earn a livelihood.

The Institute has also faced interference from the de facto government through restrictions on its female staff working there. However, there could be a sliver of hope for women and girls through the inclusion of men and boys in programs. Men and boys play a significant role in the Institute’s activities as important collaborators in preventing or responding to violence against women and girls.

Regarding meaningful consultation and inclusion of women, the Kabul Orthopedic Institute believes that consultations with women should be straightforward and friendly, using local and national languages to effectively communicate. In its experience, group consultations often yield better feedback as women feel more free to express themselves. However, the de facto government does not permit such activities openly due to restrictions. Therefore, consultations are conducted discreetly, demonstrating the determination of the Institute to engage women meaningfully in its activities and programs. The Institute calls for opportunities to be provided to women, for women’s opinions to be respected, and women – including women with disabilities – should be meaningfully included in society with significant roles and contributions.

 

Quotes”

“Raising men’s awareness about women’s rights and respect is fundamental to finding a solution.”

“Aid programs should be inclusive, meaning that women must be involved in the design and implementation of these programs to ensure better support for them.”

Change Agents, Nigeria

Who? Change Agents in Nigeria

Where do they work? Plateau State, Nigeria

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’: Participated in consultation design workshops to inform the design of the project’s scope and the research tools.

Women for Women International has a network of over 1,300 Change Agents whose expertise has been leveraged throughout “From Asking to Action” to inform the design, facilitation, and outcomes of this consultation. Change Agents are women who demonstrate a motivation to create change in their community and then participate in advocacy and leadership training led by Women for Women International. Through these trainings, women become community advocates and leaders who can identify the changes they want to see and create action plans that outline how they want to use their voices and experiences to influence changes in their communities.

At the outset of the From Asking to Action project, we organized participatory design workshops and interviews with Change Agents across four countries – encouraging them to shape the scope, key questions, methodology and targeting of the consultation. Through their participation in the design, Change Agents in Plateau State Nigeria shared that women in Nigeria are facing a myriad of intersecting barriers to their rights  including: domestic abuse, girl-child trafficking, the denial of girls’ education, ongoing conflict, forced marriages, the lack of women’s inclusion and participation in decision-making and leadership and the denial of women’s access to their land and assets. It is within this context that Change Agents in Plateau state have been collectively advocating for change with their local decision-makers.

Change Agents shared that they often face challenges within their families for engaging in economic activities or public decision-making processes that are perceived as being outside their gender role. However, they see the importance of persistence and participating in community dialogues and advocacy campaigns that aim to promote peace and security. For Change Agents in Plateau State, legal structures, such as court hearings in particular, are an important decision-making space to advocate within. This is because formal decision-making structures increase the visibility of women in traditionally patriarchal settings and provide an official opportunity for Change Agents’ expertise and priorities to be listened to.

For example, participants at the FGD shared how they’ve advocated for their inclusion in local court hearings to contribute to community peace thought conflict prevention on land dispute issues:

“There is a boundary community between Rim and Riyom where the community people farm although it always causes disputes between the two communities claiming the land. The case was then taken to court, yet the dispute continued. I advocated that since the case began in court, only men always attend court hearings, so why not go along with at least one woman to the court hearing as she will have one input or the other? I advised that the land be left unfarmed until the court case is finalized. The Chief listened to my advice and the dispute arising from the land matter ceased until the court case is sorted.” (Change Agent, FGD in Plateau State)

Change Agents in Plateau State shared that denial of asset control and ownership was the most significant way in which women in their community were impacted by gender-based violence. This makes this example of Change Agents being recognized by their local chief on an issue of asset and land control all the more important as it shows how Change Agents are mobilizing on the issues that are most impacting their communities to slowly move the dial on their inclusion in future decisions that impact peace within their communities.

So, what recommendations did the Change Agents have for ensuring that “From Asking to Action” does not miss the most marginalized women? = Simple – make a conscious effort to reach those communities. This must be intentional and might include home visits or relationship-building with the associations and local groups that those women interact with, such as cultural or religious groups.

Change Agents in Plateau State continue prioritizing this participatory approach to ensure that the priorities, challenges and lived experiences of the most marginalized women in their communities are amplified with their local decision makers.

Quotes:

“Initially, my husband did not support my economic activity, but I persisted and now I supported my daughter through school, up till Polytechnic and he is so proud of her and boasts that he has a daughter who graduated from the Polytechnic.” Zara (Pankshin)

Root of Generations, South Sudan

Who? Root of Generations

Where do they work? South Sudan, across all ten states, with a support office in Juba and field offices in Eastern Equatoria State and Central Equatoria State

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’: Root of Generations consulted with a total of 589 women in South Sudan, including by South Sudanese women and Sudanese refugee women. This included collecting 479 surveys and holding 12 focus group discussions with 110 women. The Root of Generations team also participated in an in-depth interview about their work and approach to ‘meaningful consultations’.

Root of Generations (RoG) is a South Sudanese national NGO founded to instill in the minds of communities the strength and value of women and advocate for equal treatment, value and respect to both sexes. RoG inspire women, girls, boys, men and communities to believe in women’s aspirations and capacities through offering education and professional development. Meaningful participation is built into its organizational structure, programming, and advocacy.

In a country that has experienced armed conflict since its independence, and where harmful cultural practices and norms still run deep within its society, Root of Generations works to break the mirror through which society sees women, ensure that women are heard and valued, and that their experiences and recommendations are taken seriously. Cultural practices such as child marriage, women being relegated to household matters, and not owning property are pervasive, meaning it takes a great deal of time and effort for these to be addressed.

RoG’s work is long-term, whole-of-community, and aimed at dismantling the root causes and institutional challenges preventing women from realizing their rights. But it is not without its challenges. Intimidation and harassment by government and security agencies challenges the advocacy work of the women supported by RoG. This is why safe spaces are central to RoGs approach for overcoming some of these barriers to women’s meaningful participation and for supporting and empowering youth, gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, and socio-economically vulnerable women and populations. Spaces are created specifically for women to come together, discuss issues important in their daily lives, and build the necessary confidence to lift up their voices in society.  Women also use the safe spaces as an advocacy venue where they identify one issue and advocate for it to the leadership at the state level, local level, and the national government level. The women’s ability to connect with each other in these spaces and determine their own priorities has led them to conduct unified campaigns and briefings to state parliamentary bodies as representatives of the recommendations of women from their communities.

Root of Generations calls for the international community to establish and uphold – or act on promises to channel funding to local women-led organizations to establish and uphold – safe spaces for women to speak freely without fear of reprisals. They call for women’s demands to not just be discussed but acted upon and lawfully embedded for future generations. Women and youth in South Sudan face many challenges in realizing their rights – but they also hold the solutions, if we just listen and provide them the resources to implement them.

 

Quotes: 

“Let’s create more of these spaces where we can have the right people to come forward and actually contribute to the discussion, rather than collecting people whom you know and whom you think can come and talk, because we want to ensure that the people on the front lines speak for themselves.”

“Another recommendation is also to ensure that we’re not just capturing what they [the women] say, but also to ensure the solution that we bring forward is a locally accepted solution and they don’t eradicate the indigenous knowledge and existing information, but to make sure that the existing information is now complemented with what we bring forward.”

Wefaq, Palestine

Who? Wefaq

Where do they work? Gaza, Palestine

Contribution to ‘From Asking to Action’: Consulted with a total of 162 women, via our survey, in Palestine. The Wefaq team also participated in an in-depth interview about their work and approach to ‘meaningful consultation’.

Wefaq aims to provide a safe environment for development and growth through empowering women and children who are at risk psychologically, socially, and educationally by facilitating their access to the services that are provided to them such as legal and psychological counseling services, in addition to offering a safe environment for a better life.

To ensure women are engaged and empowered to participate meaningfully in their communities, Wefaq runs trainings for women on advocacy, political participation, and women’s rights. They also connect emerging women leaders with those who are more experienced in community and institutional leadership roles. Wefaq has created committees of women leaders, in which women can connect to each other and support other women in Gaza. They have also created and trained Mediation Committees that involve different decision makers from across society. One approach Wefaq has used to encourage strong participation is by inviting people to discuss a topic that many view as problematic (such as divorce), and then using the opportunity to share information about women’s rights and laws. When Wefaq was first established, it faced backlash from some more conservative corners of society, but through partnering with a range of other groups, they were able to overcome incorrect assumptions about their work. Wefaq’s focus is to engage women at the family level – focusing on supporting women to achieve their goals, be safe, take part in household decision making, and have economic independence, so they are not relying on male relatives. There is minimal political and social participation by women at the local level in Palestine. Even on a national level women’s quotas are not being filled. For example, the Reconstruction Committee that was founded after the 2014 war in Gaza has only 3 women out of 25 members.

Wefaq tries to challenge this traditional lack of women’s participation in decision-making by ensuring they are central to designing new support projects. When Wefaq designs a project, it creates a committee where it discusses women’s needs through soliciting the input of previous project participants and conducting a community assessment. Men and boys are also involved in raising awareness on women’s rights, and in intervention committees for the benefit of women to engage in protection, response, and advocacy.

The 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, and Israel’s subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza, has brought about unimaginable suffering for Palestinians, especially for women and children. Two thirds of the over 40,000 people killed so far are women and children. Nearly a million more have been forcibly displaced and left to live amongst the rubble without safe shelter and without enough food or clean water to survive. It is in this difficult context that Wefaq is operating, mainly supporting women survivors of violence and supporting women to become leaders in their communities and advocate for their rights.

Wefaq continues to operate in a tense and dangerous environment, navigating through challenges that become increasingly insurmountable by the day. Lack of communication and transportation, continuous shelling and instability, high prices and exploitation, and lack of relief supplies all impact the effectiveness of Wefaq’s work. This has also impacted on the organization’s staff, who now live in tented camps while still providing services to others. Local organizations such as Wefaq are struggling with reduced funding and significant impediments to providing services due to their small size, compared to international organizations. Despite this, Wefaq is committed to supporting women survivors of violence and empowering them to be active contributors in their communities.

 

Quotes:

“Including young men early on as part of our strategy makes a crucial step towards creating a cultural change towards women’s issues in the local community. This way there is more engagement from young men.”

“We want relief to be distributed fairly after war not just few organizations getting all the funding. We need to prioritize local organizations and organizations who have been serving communities from the onset of the war.”

“The biggest fear is that organizations will not be thinking about how to preserve people’s dignity and privacy after the war, so it is crucial that we start thinking about that now.”

Participants engaging in the consultation process in Burkina Faso. Photo credit: APFG
Participants engaging in the consultation process in Syria. Photo credit: Women Now for Development
Participants engaging in the consultation process in Afghanistan. Photo credit: Kabul Orthopaedic Organization
Change Agents in Nigeria engaging in the consultation process. Photo credit: Women for Women International
Consultation participants in South Sudan. Photo credit: Root of Generations
Consultation in Palestine. Photo credit: Wefaq
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Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG), Burkina Faso’
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Women Now for Development, Syria
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Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Afghanistan
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Change Agents, Nigeria
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Root of Generations, South Sudan
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Wefaq, Palestine