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Joint Statement on Women and Girls towards the Global Refugee and Migrant Summits, September 2016 [EN/FR/ES/AR]

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On September 19th and 20th, world leaders gather at the United Nations (UN) for two major summits on the global refugee and migration crisis – the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants co-chaired by the Governments of Jordan and Ireland and the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees convened by President Obama.

This paper outlines recommendations from the under-signed agencies, which have wide-ranging experience in support to people experiencing forced displacement, as well as the specific challenges faced by displaced women and girls. Millions of refugees flee their homes every year in search of protection, as do many other migrants who have been forcibly displaced but do not fall into the legal category of refugees as defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention. Regardless of whether or not they meet the legal definition of refugee, many of these displaced individuals have been subjected to discrimination, persecution or violence. The obligation to protect persons fleeing conflict, natural disasters and other difficult circumstances in search of safety and dignity is paramount. All refugees and migrants, regardless of the reason for their displacement, should be treated with dignity and respect for their fundamental human rights.

Women and girls who flee conflict, crisis and natural disasters, as well as women who migrate for other reasons, such as domestic violence or poverty, face specific threats - including human trafficking, exploitation and sexual violence and a denial of their basic human rights, including the right to seek asylum. The risks they face can also be compounded by various factors, including age, disability, race and other issues which mean some women and girls face increased discrimination, violence and barriers to assistance and protection. Assessments conducted in 2015 and 2016 found that current policy and programming trends in response to migration often exacerbate the barriers to safety and legal protection for women and girls. Studies published in November 2015 found that refugee programmes in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Greece and the Balkans were failing in basic aspects of gender-based violence prevention and response. A global study by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises found that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for displaced women is generally also below minimum standards or absent in many contexts.iv Despite all these challenges, displaced women are organising themselves to support aid delivery and protection efforts, such as through establishing safe spaces for women and children. Yet their efforts currently receive little support or recognition from donors and policymakers.