Declaration On Women and Children in War and Conflict Zones and the Impact on Mental Health

February 27, 2025

Wherever war and conflict arise, the most vulnerable members of society – women, children, people living with a disability and older people - bear the brunt of the impact. In Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Ukraine, Israel, Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and recently Lebanon and other affected regions throughout the world, vulnerable women and children are exposed to multi-levels of trauma. These can include, but are not limited to, domestic violence, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, child marriages, high maternal mortality, malnutrition, insecure housing, torture and/or death. In areas ravaged by conflict, the additional pressures of climate-induced disasters exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the destruction of communities due to climate- related events intensify the trauma experienced by these populations.

Despite differing perspectives and political agendas, it is imperative to recognize the universal need to protect women and children. Women's rights are human rights. In 1967, United Nations Member States adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which states that discrimination against women is an offence against human dignity.

As reported in the United Nations Secretary General's Security Report on 4 April 2024, "Displaced, refugee and migrant women and girls continued to face heightened levels of conflict-related sexual violence. In Ukraine, in the context of protracted displacement, the risk of being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation persisted for the women and children who make up the vast majority of the 5 million internally displaced persons and 6 million refugees in third countries. Migrant and refugee women and girls in conflict-affected settings, particularly those held in detention facilities, faced heightened risks of sexual violence, notably in Libya and Yemen."

On 15 June 2024, global leaders from seventy-eight countries convened in Switzerland for the Global Peace Summit. The focused agenda was on ending the war in Ukraine and facilitating the return of over 19,000 Ukrainian children who were forcibly separated from their families and relocated to Russia. The leaders collectively signed a resolute document affirming that Ukraine's "territorial integrity" must serve as the non-negotiable foundation for a peace agreement with Russia.

Women are being displaced and experiencing gender-based violence due to the armed conflict in Sudan, while "24 million children are at risk of a generational catastrophe, and their rights to life, survival, protection, education, health, and development have all been gravely violated, a UN committee said." (United Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner, 18 March 2024).

The United Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner reported that, "Women, girls and children overall are among those most exposed to danger in the war on Gaza, and that as of 29 April 2024, of 34,488 Palestinians killed in Gaza, 14,500 have been children and 9,500 women. Another 77,643 have reportedly been injured, of which 75% are estimated to be female." The number of deaths in this conflict has increased exponentially where women and children, as we know, are the most affected while there are still hostages which include women and children.

A recent UNICEF press release reported that "Over 473 million children—more than one in six globally—now live in areas affected by conflict, with the world experiencing the highest number of conflicts since World War II. The percentage of the world's children living in conflict zones has doubled from around 10 per cent in the 1990s to almost 19 per cent today." They added that, "By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict in UNICEF's history—both in terms of the number of children affected and the level of impact on their lives," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "A child growing up in a conflict zone is far more likely to be out of school, malnourished, or forced from their home too often repeatedly compared to a child living in places of peace. This must not be the new normal. We cannot allow a generation of children to become collateral damage to the world's unchecked wars. The situation for women and girls is particularly concerning, with widespread reports of rape and sexual violence in conflict settings. In Haiti, so far this year, there has been a 1,000 per cent increase in reported incidents of sexual violence against children." (UNICEF, 28 December 2024)

The devastating mental and physical health consequences of war and conflict on women and girls, have profound implications for individuals, families, communities and nations. The direct exposure to violence and traumatic events "leads to higher rates of depression, anxiety, post- traumatic stress disorder, sleeping, eating and psychosomatic disorders" and poorer social outcomes. (The Lancet, The effects of armed conflict on the health of women and children, 2021)

UN Women unequivocally condemns all acts of sexual and gender-based violence wherever, whenever, and against whomever they are perpetrated. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (S/RES/1325) on women, peace, and security, acknowledges the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls.

On 19 June 2024, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict UN Women recognized the resilience of women and girls who continue to find solutions, build networks of support, and raise their voices amidst threats and limited resources. It is imperative to recognize, and on an urgent emergency basis, stop the devastating psychological trauma and challenges women and children are facing in war and conflict zones. The necessary support and resources must be provided to promote mental wellbeing and build resilience.

We call for the immediate cessation of all wars and appeal for peaceful negotiations to heal and restore the people of these nations. It is imperative that humanitarian aid, accommodation, medical care and trauma-informed mental health services are prioritized, provided and accessed. It is essential that we unite in our efforts to make this a reality for those affected. This is the only solution to protect the most vulnerable people - women and children and salvage what is left of our humanity.

There are no winners in any war, only devastation and trauma.

This Declaration was developed on behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health Women's Mental Health Section by:

1. Professor Unaiza Niaz, M.D., D.P.M., F.R.C. Psych, Executive Director of the Psychiatric Clinic and Stress Research Center, Karachi Pakistan. Life Member, former Vice President Eastern Mediterranean Region, and past Director for World Federation for Mental Health.
2. Dr Ingrid Daniels, Chief Executive Officer Cape Mental Health, South Africa and Past President of World Federation for Mental Health.