Policy Briefing – August 2025
This report sheds light on the urgent and often overlooked realities faced by displaced women and girls across Muslim-majority regions, including the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel.
As global displacement reaches record levels—over 120 million in 2025—women and girls are disproportionately affected by a complex and compounding cycle of violence. The report introduces the concept of a spiral continuum of violence, encompassing direct, structural, cultural, slow, and gender-based harms that intensify over time and across displacement journeys.
Why This Report Matters
- Highlights the gendered impacts of conflict and aid restrictions.
- Documents how violence against women is perpetuated through denial of humanitarian access.
- Offers faith-informed and culturally sensitive policy recommendations.
- Advocates for the use of Islamic social finance and localized Women, Peace and Security (WPS) frameworks.
- Calls for stronger support for women-led organizations responding to crises.
Key Themes
- Violence of Aid Restrictions: A lesser-known but devastating form of harm.
- Maternal Health Crisis: Evidence from Gaza, Sudan, and Rohingya camps.
- Intersectionality: Muslim women from marginalized backgrounds face intensified risks.
- Humanitarian Diplomacy: The role of Muslim donors and institutions in safeguarding women’s rights.
About the Author
This briefing was authored by Sandra Pertek, University of Birmingham and Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, as part of the Making Aid Work for Displaced Women initiativ
