The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, held in March 2016 in New York City, focused largely on the status of tens of millions of women and girls globally who are facing devastation and displacement from natural disasters and war. These women and girls, many of whom are refugees, are extremely vulnerable to all forms of violence against women. A new Women, Peace and Security programme will offer training and guidelines for civil society and military personnel on how to reduce violence against women and girls “during conflict, peacebuilding and post-conflict situations.” This would include access to adequate health care, particularly maternal and reproductive care, and other services that help women protect themselves from violence. The programme was developed and is led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Compiled from: Global Leaders Launch a New Programme to Support Women In Conflict Zones, UNFPA (March 16, 2016).