It is also important to state that women in armed conflicts are not solely “victims” in need of assistance and protection. Women in wartime have shown tremendous courage and resilience as survivors and as heads of households - a role for which many of them have had no preparation and which is made more difficult by the social constraints often imposed on them. They often have to travel long distances to find water, food, firewood, medicines and other necessities, thereby putting at risk their own physical safety. In the absence of the man who is often the breadwinner, women have to ensure the family’s day-to-day survival. Women in these civilian populations, thus, take on the major responsibilities of coping with these other consequences of armed conflict. When they fail, it is often women who have to deal with the consequences.

Parties to a conflict are required under IHL to protect the health, economic and physical security of the civilian population. War disrupts food supplies, production, health facilities, transport, water and fuel.

Civilians, not combatants, make up the largest number of casualties, and among civilians, women are particularly exposed and victimized. Wars are no longer fought in secluded combat zones – the battlefield is in the midst of the civilian population.

Irrespective of their capacity as civilians or combatants, women face systematic disadvantages that are the product of gender inequality, which generally intensify during armed conflict. In today’s conflicts, the impact of war on women can be severe. Though IHL instruments seem to be comprehensive, they do not cover the full range of human suffering caused by war. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) tries to protect the wounded, sick, prisoners of war and civilians in the hands of enemies.

Solutions to human armed conflicts