Dakar: Across West and Central Africa, humanitarian crises are disrupting lives in profoundly unequal ways. For women and girls, conflict and displacement can bring heightened risks of violence, loss of livelihoods, and barriers to essential services. This World Humanitarian Day, we explore five strategies humanitarian workers and women-led organizations are employing to protect women and girls, from safeguarding those at greater risk of violence to assisting them in rebuilding their lives with dignity.
According to African Press Organization, humanitarian actors are often asked to do more with less, but as crises continue to grow, there comes a point when resources fall short, leaving fewer women and girls with the protection and support they need. Nearly 55 million people across West and Central Africa are projected to face acute food insecurity this year, as crises in regions like the Central Sahel, north-east Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remain severely underfunded. In north-east Nigeria, women and children, particularly girls, account for approximately 83 percent of those in need of humanitarian assistance, illustrating how prolonged crises can disproportionately affect them.
In another crucial initiative, humanitarian workers are delivering protection that addresses the unique realities faced by women and girls. Crises exacerbate existing inequalities, exposing them to increased risks of violence and exclusion from essential services. During the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, women and girls represented 53.4 percent of confirmed cases, highlighting their vulnerability. In north-east Nigeria, nearly 60 percent of those in need of assistance are women and girls, who also account for 55 percent of those displaced from their homes. Effective protection requires understanding these challenges and working with communities to ensure that the needs and rights of women and girls are prioritized.
The third approach involves helping women rebuild their lives with dignity. For women displaced by conflict, protection must extend beyond physical safety to include resources and opportunities for economic independence. In Mali, women have regained their dignity and economic stability through support projects, while in Cameroon, UN Women's Second Chance Education program has enabled thousands of displaced women to return to education and gain skills for employment or entrepreneurship.
Supporting women to prevent violence and build peace is another key strategy. Women play an essential role in preventing violence and fostering peace in conflict-affected communities. Regional workshops and peace committees have empowered women to engage in humanitarian action, reduce violence, and promote peacebuilding efforts.
Lastly, strengthening women-led organizations on the frontlines is vital. These organizations are crucial in connecting women and girls to protection and services, especially where humanitarian access is limited. However, diminishing resources threaten their operations. Globally, many women's organizations face funding cuts, which impacts their ability to sustain their work. Protecting women and girls in protracted crises requires supporting these local actors who are integral to the response and peacebuilding within their communities.