Break the vicious cycle of discrimination and inequality
One of the weakest areas of resilience currently is among women and girls, and the institutions that serve them. As long as inequality and inequitable access short-circuit their rights,
As long as inequality and inequitable access short-circuit their rights, abilities and opportunities, women and girls will remain among those most in need of humanitarian assistance and least equipped to contribute to recovery or resilience.
MOVING FORWARD Photo Š Panos Pictures/Sven Torfinn
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A FRAG I LE WO RLD
abilities and opportunities, women and girls will remain among those most in need of humanitarian assistance and least equipped to contribute to recovery or resilience. Transformation can begin, in part, in the aftermath of a crisis, but that largely depends on the response. If it mainly replicates existing discriminatory patterns, such as by failing to provide quality sexual and reproductive health services from the first moments, it is not transformative. It will fail as well on all scores of effectiveness and human rights. All humanitarian issues involve some kind of gender perspective, because men and women, girls and boys experience the world in markedly different ways. All types of humanitarian action therefore need to recognize and respond to these differences, and actively correct any disparities. Wherever feasible, humanitarian assistance can challenge existing forms of discrimination, such as through providing comprehensive services for survivors of gender-based violence.