Protecting Women During Wars

Syllabus

GS 2: Issues related to women

 Why in the News?

Recently, the Iran–Israel war and growing global instability have highlighted the urgency of International Women’s Day 2026, drawing attention to the disproportionate impact of conflicts and crises on women worldwide.

 Introduction

•     International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed every year on 8 March across the world to recognise women’s achievements and demand gender equality.
•     Although women’s day began as a labour movement in the early twentieth century, it has grown into a global platform highlighting women’s rights, gender justice, safety, and equal opportunities in society.

Evolution and Global Significance of International Women’s Day

Early Origins and Global Recognition

•     International Women’s Day started in the early twentieth century when women workers organised movements demanding better working conditions, fair wages, and political rights in many countries.
•     Over the years, the day gradually expanded beyond labour issues and became an international platform to highlight women’s rights, equality, dignity, and social justice.
•     In 1977, the United Nations officially recognised International Women’s Day, encouraging countries across the world to observe it and promote gender equality.
•     Today, the day is observed globally as both a celebration of women’s achievements and a reminder of the long struggle for equal rights and access to justice.
•     Governments, international organisations, civil society groups, and citizens use this day to discuss gender issues and demand concrete policy actions.

Theme of International Women’s Day 2026

“Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls”

•     For the year 2026, the United Nations has selected the theme “Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls” for International Women’s Day.
•     This theme highlights the need to guarantee women’s rights, ensure equal justice, and take real action to achieve gender equality across the world.
•     The words of the theme carry a powerful message that women deserve equal rights and fair treatment in every aspect of life, emphasizing gender justice for all.
•     However, turning these ideals into practical policies remains extremely difficult due to the current global situation and structural barriers.
•     The world today is facing several challenges such as armed conflicts, economic instability, political tensions, and humanitarian crises.
•     These challenges create an environment where protecting women’s rights becomes even more complicated and urgent.

Global Conflicts and Their Impact on Women

Growing Violence and Humanitarian Crisis

•     Many regions of the world are currently experiencing wars and violent conflicts that have already caused large-scale destruction and human suffering.
•     Military attacks between opposing nations have destroyed important infrastructure and strategic locations in several conflict zones.
•     These conflicts have resulted in the loss of many lives, including a large number of women and children.
•     Unfortunately, instead of reducing tensions, several countries are taking stronger military positions and continuing hostilities.
•     As a result, the possibility of early peace or ceasefire in many conflict regions appears uncertain at present.

Women and Children as the Most Vulnerable

•     Women and children are among the most vulnerable groups during conflicts and humanitarian crises.
•     Gender equality is recognised globally as a fundamental human right and not merely a privilege granted by societies.
•     However, in times of war and instability, these rights become extremely difficult to protect and enforce, particularly when discriminatory laws and practices persist.
•     Women and girls suffer disproportionately during wars due to social, economic, and security vulnerabilities.
•     Research studies and field observations clearly show that conflicts increase gender-based violence against women.

Social and Economic Consequences of War on Women

Rise in Gender-Based Violence

•     Armed conflicts often lead to an increase in gender-based violence such as sexual assault, harassment, intimate partner violence, and exploitation.
•     Women in conflict zones face greater risks due to breakdown of law enforcement and social protection systems that ensure access to justice.
•     Sexual violence has historically been used as a strategy of war to intimidate, humiliate, and weaken the enemy population.
•     Such crimes have been recorded during wars since ancient times and continue to occur even in modern conflicts.

Economic and Social Disruptions

•     War situations frequently destroy livelihoods, leaving women without income or financial security, often exacerbating existing issues like the gender pay gap.
•     Many families are forced to flee their homes due to violence, leading to large-scale displacement of women and children.
•     Food insecurity becomes severe during conflicts because supply chains are disrupted and agricultural activities are damaged.
•     Access to education and health services becomes extremely limited as institutions collapse during war, denying women equal access to essential resources.
•     Women’s mobility is often restricted due to security threats, making it harder for them to work, travel, or seek assistance.

Mental Health Challenges

•     Women living in conflict zones often experience serious mental health problems due to continuous violence and uncertainty.
•     Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are widely reported among affected women.
•     Emotional trauma is intensified when families are separated or when loved ones are injured or killed during conflicts.
•     Unfortunately, mental health services are rarely available in war zones, leaving many women without support.

International Efforts to Protect Women in Conflict

UN Security Council Resolution 1325

•     Recognising the severe impact of conflicts on women and girls, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on October 31, 2000.
•     This historic resolution focused on the theme of Women, Peace and Security and called for protecting women during armed conflicts through legal protection mechanisms.
•     It also emphasised that women must be actively involved in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and reconstruction processes.
•     The resolution acknowledged that women are not only victims of war but also important participants in creating lasting peace.

Limited Implementation

•     Despite the strong commitments made under Resolution 1325, the gap between policy promises and real implementation remains large due to structural barriers.
•     Some countries have created national action plans to implement the goals of the resolution.
•     However, in many places, these plans have not resulted in meaningful improvements in the safety and rights of women.
•     As a result, the everyday conditions faced by women in conflict regions have shown little progress.

Global Trends and Data on Women in Conflict

Increasing Conflicts Worldwide

•     According to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Report on Women, Peace and Security 2025, the world currently faces the highest number of active conflicts since 1946.
•     These conflicts have created unprecedented risks and hardships for women and girls across several regions.
•     The report highlights that around 676 million women live within 50 kilometres of areas affected by deadly conflicts.
•     This is the highest level of exposure to conflict for women since the 1990s.

Rising Casualties and Violence

•     Civilian casualties among women and children have increased dramatically in recent years.
•     The number of such casualties has quadrupled compared to the previous two-year period.
•     Conflict-related sexual violence has also increased sharply, rising by about 87 percent within just two years.
•     These statistics demonstrate the severe humanitarian impact of wars on women and girls.

Lack of Women’s Participation in Peace Processes

Limited Representation in Negotiations

•     Despite strong evidence supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding, their representation in decision-making remains extremely limited.
•     Data from 2024 shows that nine out of ten global peace negotiations had no women negotiators at all.
•     Women constituted only about 7 percent of negotiators in international peace processes.
•     Similarly, women represented only around 14 percent of mediators involved in conflict resolution efforts.

Importance of Women in Peacebuilding

•     Research consistently shows that peace agreements become more durable when women actively participate in negotiations and reconstruction processes, marking important gender equality milestones.
•     Women often bring perspectives focused on community welfare, social justice, and long-term stability.
•     Excluding women from peace processes reduces the chances of addressing gender-specific challenges after conflicts.
•         Therefore, greater representation of women in peace negotiations is necessary for achieving sustainable peace.

Need for Concrete Global Action

Inclusion of Women in Decision-Making

•         Women should be recognised as important stakeholders in conflict resolution rather than being treated only as victims of war.
•         They must receive equal opportunities to participate in peace talks, negotiations, and reconstruction planning.

Role of Global Institutions and Civil Society

•         Women’s organisations, international bodies, and global advocacy groups must take more action-oriented steps instead of limiting efforts to conferences and symbolic campaigns.
•         These organisations should work closely with governments to ensure practical protection mechanisms for women in conflict zones.

Support Systems for Women and Children

•         Women and children living in conflict areas must receive adequate protection from violence and exploitation.
•         Providing food security, health services, education, financial support, and psychological counselling is essential for their survival and recovery.
•         Governments, international agencies, and humanitarian organisations must coordinate efforts to provide these essential services.

Conclusion

International Women’s Day 2026 highlights the urgent need to protect women’s rights in a world facing conflicts and instability. Ensuring justice, security, participation, and dignity for women requires strong global commitment and practical action.

Source

The Hindu

Mains Practice Question

Analyse the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in promoting women’s participation in peace and security processes.