Why Nutrition Programming Must Address Gender-based Violence

Across all societies, women and girls are at greater risk of experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) than men and boys – especially during their adolescent years and in humanitarian crises and emergencies.

According to UNICEF, GBV includes any physical, sexual, mental, or economic harm or the threat of harm on a person because of their gender and the “socially ascribed power imbalances between males and females”.

In emergency settings, gender-based violence is deeply interrelated with malnutrition and higher levels of both acute and chronic malnutrition for women and girls and their households. Recent gender analyses highlight particularly pressing nutrition-related issues impacting women and girls in humanitarian emergencies.

For example, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has increased food insecurity and malnutrition across the country, but affects women more acutely. In fact, according to IPC’s Acute Food Security Analysis, households headed by women are currently more food insecure than households headed by men, plus have higher micronutrient deficiencies. Female-headed households are also more economically vulnerable, which means they have lower purchasing power.

In Gaza, persistent conflict for more than a year has left more than half a million women food insecure as of June 2024. An economic blockade continues to prevent families from being able to access and/or purchase sufficient and nutrient-dense food, further compounding nutritional deficiencies of vulnerable groups, specially women.

The mpox outbreak has disproportionately affected women in DR Congo. And when women’s health is compromised, it can have significant knock-on effects on other areas of women’s lives, including their nutrition status.

The good news is that we know proactively integrating gender equity and GBV risk mitigation into emergency nutrition programmes can greatly improve nutrition outcomes for women, girls, and gender minorities – particularly in emergencies. It is just a matter of prioritising it.

Looking Ahead to 2025: A Call for Transformative Action

As we reflect on the global challenges of this year – which have been largely defined by escalating conflicts, ongoing economic instability, and deteriorating living conditions – we see the health, safety, and futures of the most vulnerable populations at risk.  

It is crucial to prioritise actionable interventions in 2025 that will empower women, girls, and gender diverse individuals, and address their unique needs in humanitarian contexts – including:

1. Implementing inclusive and gender-transformative nutrition programmes: Design and roll out nutrition programmes specifically tailored to women, girls, and gender diverse individuals, while also engaging men and boys to address gender norms and ensure access to safe, nutritious food and the adoption of healthy dietary practices.

2. Empower women as leaders in humanitarian response: Increase the representation of women in leadership roles within humanitarian organisations and decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are integral to crisis response strategies.

3. Enhance access to comprehensive healthcare services: Ensure that healthcare services – including maternal, reproductive, and mental health care – are available and accessible to all genders, including women, girls, and non-binary people, in crisis contexts, without barriers or stigma.

4. Advocate for gender equality in policy and practice: Promote community dialogue on the importance of gender equity in nutrition, health, and safety. Advocate for policies that protect the rights of women and girls and ensure their full participation in recovery efforts.

5. Strengthen community support and protection systems: Implement measures to prevent gender-based violence and provide support for survivors, ensuring that women, girls, and gender diverse people have safe spaces and resources to rebuild their lives.

6. Integrate disease prevention and health education: As we face outbreaks of diseases like mpox and cholera, prioritise health education initiatives that empower women and girls to protect themselves and their families against preventable diseases.

Gender and Gender-based Violence (GBV) Working Group

Committing as a humanitarian community to address these issues as well as prioritise nutrition programming that takes into account gender and GBV issues at all stages of the project cycle can greatly improve the nutrition outcomes for women and girls in emergencies.

The GNC’s Gender and GBV Working Group exists so that all humanitarian health and nutrition organisations can be equipped to respond to gender inequality and engage in GBV risk mitigation within their organisations and in their work with crisis affected populations. In line with this vision, the Working Group guides and supports the integration of gender equity and GBV risk mitigation across the GNC at the global- and national-level. The Working Group shares an active voice within the sector in conversations on gender, GBV risk mitigation, and Nutrition in Emergencies.

The Working Group produces many gender-related nutrition resources, which you can find by visiting their page. If you would like support with gender and GBV matters for your nutrition programme and/or response, fill out our request support form.

About the authors:

Sona Sharma provides technical support in Social and Behaviour Change for Action Against Hunger US, and the GNC as Social and Behaviour Change Advisor.

Brooke Bauer is a senior humanitarian advisor specialising in Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition in Emergencies (MIYCN-E) and Gender in Nutrition. She works with Save the Children International and an advisor on similar issues with the GNC.

Sona and Brooke co-lead the GNC’s Gender and Gender-based Violence Working Group. Learn more about this Working Group.