As of March 2022 there are a number of armed conflicts in the world, including in Ukraine. What impact does armed conflict have on women? This question is of course complicated but there are some general things to consider.
Human Rights Watch states:
Throughout history, women and girls have often been targeted in wartime for violence, especially sexual violence. They have also been excluded from conflict prevention and resolution efforts. Despite increased awareness and mobilization at the local and international levels, women and girls in conflict continue to face multiple challenges. A lack of high-level leadership committed to integrating women’s rights, including in Security Council negotiations and in peace talks, means women are often left out. Grassroots organizations working on women’s local-level peacebuilding and service provision struggle to get adequate and consistent funding. And, despite the heightened risk of violence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and women with disabilities in situations of armed conflict, they are typically sidelined in policy and programming, often leaving them out of decision-making processes and unable to access services. (Muscati, Samer. "Women and Armed Conflict." Human Rights Watch, 2012.)
Though put at risk, women play a number of roles in armed conflict including soldiers, spies, medical workers, delivering humanitarian aid, and numerous other roles. Read more below for online and library resources related to women and armed conflict.
Below is a small selection of library books related to women and armed conflict. Check the location to see if the book is a print or online book.
Below are some online resources to consider.
Adams, Ansel, photographer. Private Margaret Fukuoka, W.A.C. / photograph by Ansel Adams. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2002695325/>.