Intersectionality as a concept was introduced by Kimberle Crenchaw, where she explains how various factors like race, color, gender, social status, etc. exacerbate women’s issues like gender discrimination and violence. She explains her analysis through the case of black women who were more prone to physical and sexual violence as compared to white women. White and Black women both face sexism but black women not only face sexism but also racism. The combination of both has been deadly. Similarly, another one of these intersectional factors is an individual’s migrant or refugee status. All women are vulnerable to Gender Based Violence (GBV) but female refugees face more deleterious GBV challenges due to their gender and secondly, due to the hurdles that they face under their refugee status. Such women are more vulnerable in cases where they come from conflict-ridden areas involving civil wars. This is where their initial vulnerability begins. “One of the most noteworthy and horrifying realities of conflict and the post-conflict era includes the unprecedented level of sexual assaults and gender-based violence faced largely by women who are intentionally or unintentionally prone to this vicious cycle of atrocities committed against them by the belligerent factions of rebel groups, and national security forces.” (Nadeem et al., 2022). Hence, women in such conflict prone areas are subject to mass rapes, sexual assault, and often end up becoming female combatants. The civil wars in Congo and Libera saw the same consequences due to long hostilities between warring factions. International Law under the Four Geneva Conventions protects the life and dignity of civilians in times of war as well as of the Prisoners of War. Additionally, the seeking asylum is also an inherent right of the people but refugees often face various hurdles in doing so. Conflict ridden areas saw high intensity of violence against women. For instance, there were large scale war crimes in the Rwanda Genocide in 1994 by the Hutu militia groups, where a large number of women were subjected to mass rapes. (Nowrojee, 1996).
In addition to this, when the violence does not end, the women end up becoming refugees and are forced to go to a foreign land for safe shelter. This is where they again become vulnerable to various health and security issues due to their refugee status.One article explains the experiences of female refugees from various locations on their journey towards Europe. “The insecurities inherent in the journey have been highlighted in the media by shocking images of capsized boats and drowned refugees, but far less attention has been paid to other forms of violence and insecurity which refugees experience, and in particular the many forms of gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, experienced by women refugees.” (Freedman, 2016). This article explains how female migrants as well as refugees both face higher rates of Gender Based Violence in varying ways. For instance, the article explains that women migrating to Europe or compelled to evacuate as refugees were exposed to violence during their journey, where they were subject to sexual assault in order to pass the borders or pay for the journey when they were unable to do so. They were also vulnerable to smugglers who sexually exploited them. Hence, women refugees face higher rates of GBV than normal woman due to two main factors. Firstly, because of their gender and secondly, because of their refugee status which leaves them vulnerable. Further, the article explains how refugee women also face higher rates of GBV in the forms of rapes and violence from their own family members and partners. In such cases, female refugees find it difficult to leave their abusive partners or family members because they have to continue the journey and often when social services against violence are not available in the journey. Another precarious impact that the refugees face is GBV issues in accommodation facilities which are either lacking crucial facilities or are places of occurrence violence itself. Therefore, it can be inferred that female refugees are most likely not to speak up against the violence due to their dependence on the camps. Furthermore, being refugees, it is also problematic to report violence either due to the lack of the relevant authorities or due to the fear of social stigma. Often, women do not remember the abuser or either are already overwhelmed because of the difficulties that they face as refugees. Hence, cases of GBV against women are often under-reported.
Of considerable importance is the problems faced by female refugees from Afghanistan residing in Pakistan who face threats of GBV including heightened domestic violence. “Afghan culture’s patriarchal norms are reinforced in the refugee setting, dictate that women remain in abusive relationships, further perpetuating their trauma.” (Ismail ., 2025). Consequently, the cultural background of the refugees also often prohibits them from seeking help. To counter the plight of female refugees, there has been significant effort by the United Nations Organization (UNO), under its Resolution 1325 which was put forth in 2000. This resolution acknowledged the unique impacts of armed conflict on women in conflict-prone regions. UNHCR has taken crucial steps in the past such as the Guidelines on the Protection of Refugee Women, which aims to counter gender-related risks of female refugees and promotes the need for effective protection of female GBV survivor refugees. (Refugees, 1991). “Eradicating the impunity for perpetrators; creating modalities of empowerment for women in refugee communities; stepping up the level of protection for women in times of conflict and peace; encouraging women to report crimes; raising children in a culture that does not condone sexual abuse; enhancing the support mechanisms for refugee health and well-being; enhancing and strengthening the legal system to enforce punishment and justice….” (Millar, 2011). The panacea to the issue of GBV faced by female refugees thus lies in the effective implementation of the International Law to prevent suffering of the civilians, and further in the sustainable provision of health and judicial services for female refugees to encourage them to report GBV abuse on time. To conclude, the contemporary situation of female Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Palestinian displaced women in Gaza is of high importance and thus, must be countered with efficacy.
