Reader opinion In wars, the position of women deteriorates in all areas of life

During the war, women’s opportunities for autonomous decision-making diminished.

Although the different sexes face the same horrors in war, their effects are gendered. Women in particular suffer from gender-specific injustices. Armed conflicts disproportionately affect women and exacerbate gender inequality, to the detriment of women and girls.

The position of women is weakened in wars in all areas of life. Relatively more women and girls are victims of human rights violations and violent crimes. Physical violence is on the rise, and sexual violence has not disappeared from any of the weapons of warfare. The rape figures are shocking. During the war, women’s opportunities for autonomous decision-making diminished. The majority of refugee women and children are at high risk of being trafficked in conflict areas.

Women and children are more likely to be civilian victims of war. Indeed, armed conflicts lower women’s life expectancy more than men’s.

The effects of war on children cannot be talked about without mentioning the well-being of women, as women are the primary caregivers of children. In conflict situations, women play a critical role in maintaining and surviving family and community. How well women are able to help children cope with the traumas of war is central to the well-being of children during and after the war. Despite this, the role of children in conflict is talked about as a separate issue from women’s well-being.

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Underlying the threats to women is the weaker social position of women compared to men. The gendered threats posed by conflict and the special needs of women and girls must be taken into account at every stage of humanitarian aid. Women need special protection in the midst of a crisis.

Reducing women to be passive victims deepens gender stereotypes and reinforces inequalities. It will also lead to the overtaking of women in peace negotiations and reconstruction. However, the participation of women in the negotiations increases the likelihood of peace agreements succeeding. Yet – too often – women are left on the fringes of formal peace processes and are largely out of the rooms where decisions are made.

The participation and protection of women are inextricably linked. One simply cannot exist without the other. Women cannot be expected to build peace if their security and lives are constantly threatened.

Jaana Hirsikangas

executive director

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UN Women Finland

Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.

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