Humanitarian Assistance : Protecting Refugee Women and Girls Remains a Significant Challenge

Women & children refugees, who comprise 80% of the 12 mil. refugees worldwide, are extremely vulnerable. They are subject to gender-based violence, incl. physical harm, rape, & unequal access to humanitarian assist. This report: assesses efforts by the U.N. High Comm. for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect refugees, esp. women & girls; determines what steps U.N. & internat. org. have taken to prevent sexual exploitation of refugee women by humanitarian workers; & describes U.S. gov't. efforts to support adequate protection for vulnerable populations. Recommends reform of UNHCR's staffing system, expanding protection training, encourage protection partnering, & maintain focus on combating sexual exploitation of women & girls. Charts & photos.Gootnick, David is the author of 'Humanitarian Assistance : Protecting Refugee Women and Girls Remains a Significant Challenge', published 2003 under ISBN 9780756735784 and ISBN 0756735785.