CARE strongly condemns all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, rape and conflict-related sexual violence. The use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war are violations of International Humanitarian Law and may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It is an indictment on all of us that conflict-related sexual violence is occurring at record levels - in 2023, the UN verified over 3,688 cases, which was a 50% increase from the previous year. Given the extent of impunity for perpetrators and underreporting, these figures represent only a portion of the real total.
Gender-based violence continues to be a weapon of war in conflicts from the DRC to Ukraine, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to Sudan. CARE is committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence and doing so with approaches that empower survivors and promote their dignity, rights and agency. Survivors of gender-based violence are the most powerful advocates for ending this abhorrent crime, but we must stand with them in solidarity, not just today, but everyday.
How does CARE respond to gender-based violence?
CARE supports survivors of gender-based violence to recover physically, psychologically and economically. We provide healthcare, counselling and livelihoods support to help women to rebuild their lives.
We don't stop at helping survivors of gender-based violence. We aim to address – and change – the attitudes that make it possible, especially in crisis settings.
This means working alongside local organisations and communities to support their response to gender-based violence in the local context. It means empowering women and girls through education, health, and livelihoods opportunities. It means supporting women to speak up for their rights. And it means engaging men and boys to break the cycle of violence.
News and stories on eliminating gender-based-violence
-
16 Days of Activism: How women in Nigeria are using education to tackle violence against women and girls
CARE is supporting women and girls in Nigeria to identify what they need from gender-based violence services, and come together to create change.
-
16 Days of Activism: How couples in Syria are breaking the cycle of violence against women and girls
The Couple’s Curriculum project brings together couples who want to foster healthy, more supportive and equitable relationships and prevent abusive behaviours towards women and girls.
-
Meet a ‘womanitarian’: Abeba - "Stand on the side of Tigrayan women"
In her work at the Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT), Abeba Hailesilassie helps to support survivors of gender-based violence and promotes women’s leadership in decision-making.
