Addressing school-related gender-based violence is critical for safe learning environments in refugee contexts

Crises, conflict and displacement lead to heightened insecurities – physical, psychological, social and financial - for affected populations including refugees. The breakdown of family and community support systems and high levels of stress and trauma magnify pre-existing levels of violence and conflict within families and in schools. That there is a rise in sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations is undisputed. Reports of gender-based violence emerge in the aftermath as systems for reporting and response get established as part of a humanitarian response. Yet data required to produce global estimates is limited.