Hesperian Health Guides
Chapter 29: Refugees and Displaced Women
Displaced women and girls who are unaccompanied, pregnant, heads of households, disabled, or elderly are more likely to be attacked, abused, or forced into sex work.
Refugees are people who cross the border of their country into another country because they fear for their survival at home. Displaced people are forced to leave their homes for similar reasons, but remain in their own country. Many refugees and displaced people fear that their government or a group that has gained power threatens their lives because of their ethnic group, religion, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, or political views. Also, when environmental disasters destroy access to food or water, people must leave their homes to survive.
Women and girls make up around half of all refugees and displaced people. They need laws that give them economic and social rights to basic resources like food, shelter, clothing, health care, education, and work opportunities. Refugee and displaced women and girls are more likely to experience sexual and physical abuse, sex slavery, and human trafficking, so they need special protection. All refugees and displaced people need protection from armed attacks and forced return to their homes.
This chapter has information on these needs and other challenges to health. It includes ways that outside support and organizing by refugees and displaced people can improve conditions for women in their new communities.