Eliminating gender-based violence

CARE strongly condemns all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, rape and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war are violations of International Humanitarian Law and may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The world is in the grip of an astonishing 55 conflicts, and it is an indictment on all of us that CRSV is occurring at record levels as well. In 2022, the UN verified over 2,450 cases of CRSV. Given the extent of impunity for perpetrators and underreporting, these figures represent only a portion of the real total.

Gender-based violence continues to be a weapon of war in conflicts from the DRC to Ukraine, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to Sudan. CARE is committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence and doing so with approaches that empower survivors and promote their dignity, rights and agency. Survivors of gender-based violence are the most powerful advocates for ending this abhorrent crime, but we must stand with them in solidarity, not just today, but everyday.

How does CARE respond to gender-based violence?

CARE supports survivors of gender-based violence to recover physically, psychologically and economically. We provide healthcare, counselling and livelihoods support to help women to rebuild their lives.

We don't stop at helping survivors of gender-based violence. We aim to address – and change – the attitudes that make it possible, especially in crisis settings.

This means working alongside local organisations and communities to support their response to gender-based violence in the local context. It means empowering women and girls through education, health, and livelihoods opportunities. It means supporting women to speak up for their rights. And it means engaging men and boys to break the cycle of violence.