Complex settings: selected situations

The prevalence and risks of GBV increase in contexts of crisis and emergencies, such as health emergencies, armed conflicts, climate disasters and organized crime.

Box 3: GBV in complex settings - selected situations

The term “complex situations” is used throughout this report to describe complicated contemporary contexts in which the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (or “triple nexus”) is relevant. The nexus framework is an important means of recognizing and responding to the need for strengthening the resilience of people and communities before, during and after crises, with significant implications for how aid is coordinated, financed and implemented. Achieving coherence between efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance, foster sustainable development and build peace is prioritized by, for example, the OECD Development Assistance Committee,47 and most key donors and United Nations agencies are supportive of the nexus framework.48 In the complex situations covered by this report, risks of GBV against women arise and are affected by diverse dynamics including protracted armed conflict, long-term displacement, and the adverse effects of climate change, among others.

Global pandemics (COVID-19): The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated risks of GBV globally with victim/survivors confined with abusers consequent to the application of quarantine measures. Risks were also exacerbated due to financial stress, stress related to school closures and increased care burdens as well as increased alcohol consumption and drug abuse. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) predicted that 15 million additional cases of GBV occurred for every three months of the COVID-related lockdown.49 COVID-19 also severely disrupted delivery of health, emergency and legal/justice services.

Armed conflicts: These have disproportionate impacts on women and girls, who face heightened risks due to displacement, entrenched structural bias, increased caregiving roles and the breakdown of normal structures and support. The prevalence of GBV in crisis settings is estimated to be double that faced in nonconflict settings. Non-partner sexual violence is extraordinarily high compared to non-conflict contexts. Emerging research shows that IPV against women and girls is more prevalent than non-partner sexual violence during conflicts and humanitarian crises. Though less is known about rates of other forms of GBV in these settings, such as sexual exploitation and abuse, forced, early and child marriage, research has shown increased risks of such forms of abuse in conflict and humanitarian settings.50

Climate disasters: Since 1970 the number of people exposed to floods and tropical cyclones have doubled and women and children face an overwhelming burden during and after the crises. The impact of climate change on women and girls is multifaceted and significant, with GBV among the key challenges affecting women and girls disproportionately.51 While global climate change exacerbates disaster risks, it also increases the likelihood of rape, sexual exploitation and risky behaviour of women. As with pandemics, there are severe disruptions in normal protection systems, justice and service delivery in contexts of climate and natural disasters.52

Organized crime: Although there is limited research in this regard, organized crime and GBV are linked in multiple and complex ways. Evidence suggests that women may be engaged in organized crime to access resources to escape abusive relationships, and that women in organized crime or related to or associated with networks and gangs face violence, including femicide, sexual violence and IPV from other gang members.53 Organized crimes may involve serious forms of GBV such as trafficking for forced sexual exploitation, online sexual abuse, violence associated with illicit firearms, forced labour and modern slavery. Women may also play various roles in organized crime activities related to GBV.54

Pre-existing gender inequalities and challenges to accessing justice are heightened in complex settings due to weakened or absent rule of law, breakdown of justice systems and disrupted service delivery, and the volatile and fluid contexts and governance structures. Other factors that impede women’s access to justice in complex contexts include inadequate and discriminatory legal frameworks and procedures; inadequate availability and resourcing of formal justice institutions and services; discriminatory practices and accountability within customary and informal justice systems that are most accessible for women; entrenched patriarchal social norms, practices and attitudes; lack of survivors’ awareness of rights and availability of support services; increased financial constraints in accessing justice; and heightened safety risks.55 These challenges are detailed in the following chapters that present findings from the different country contexts. The very nature of complex settings means that crises often overlap, e.g., the presence of organized crime in conflict or disaster settings happening at the same time as a health pandemic. Furthermore, addressing GBV in complex settings requires going beyond a narrow lens that looks only at GBV-focused mechanisms, and rather inquiring into processes that seek to prevent or address these crisis situations. For example, initiatives for GBV prevention and response should be part of state and peace building processes, disaster or health emergency responses. This will ensure that survivors receive protection, support and assistance at all stages of crisis, post crisis and recovery.

Crises and post-conflict situations can open opportunities for reform. A genderresponsive transition process should include measures to address impunity for GBV, especially conflict-related GBV, encourage women’s participation, particularly of GBV survivors, and