There is limited available evidence on the prevalence of VAWG in conflict and post-conflict settings (see Table 1 for a consolidation of available data). Incident data, particularly in contexts that employ the Gender-based Violence Information System (GBVIMS), is often available in conflict and post-conflict settings. However, these information management systems only collect data on reported cases (of which there are few); they cannot assess the true prevalence of VAWG within a population.
For prevalence studies, the methodological challenges and variability within VAWG research in conflict and post-conflict settings make collecting accurate data difficult. Surveys vary in quality and the lack of international consensus on a standardized methodology for collecting VAWG prevalence data in conflict and post-conflict settings creates difficulties for researchers on the ground. Further challenges exist in pooling or comparing different surveys. These challenges include:
- Variability in recall period (for example, some data details lifetime prevalence, some show VAWG that occurred in the past 1 year of 6 months, and others cover the length of the armed conflict),
- Differing definitions of VAWG,
- Lack of clearly stated/population-based sampling methodologies.
Beyond these methodological issues, there are also further challenges for carrying out population-based surveys in conflict settings (e.g. accessibility of conflict-affected locations, language barriers, fear of potential stigmatization for survivors of VAWG, security concerns, etc.) which can prevent rigorous research or population-based M&E from occurring.
While VAWG prevalence data is not required in every conflict or post-conflict setting and should not be a prerequisite for funding VAWG programming, timely and accurate data on the types, forms and drivers of VAWG in conflict and post-conflict settings is needed. Additionally, very little data exists on interventions that are effective in preventing and responding to violence in these settings. More rigorous research is needed to increase our understanding of VAWG during times of conflict and post-conflict crises.
Table 1: Recent Prevalence Data on Intimate and Non-Partner Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings
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Partner Violence |
Non-Partner Violence |
Combined/Other/Not Specified |
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Physical Violence |
Lifetime prevalence of partner physical violence ranged between 42% and 67% for ever-partnered women and girls in 3 sites in South Sudan (Global Women's Institute & the International Rescue Committee, 2017). 28.2% of female respondents from 3 regions in Somalia reported experiencing partner physical violence during their lifetimes (Wirtz et al., 2018). For ever-partnered adolescent girls (aged 15-19) from 2 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan, prevalence of partner physical violence raged between 21-42% (Murphy et al., 2018). 42.5% of female Palestinian refugees from 12 refugee camps reported physical violence in their lifetime; 48.9% of men reported ever perpetrating physical violence against their partner. Overall prevalence of lifetime beating was 44.7% (Khawaja & Barazi, 2005). 29.5% of Palestinian refugee men compared with 22% of women reported that wife beating occurred at least once during their married life. 10.4% of men and 9.1% of women reported it happened during the past year (Khawaja & Tewtel-Salem, 2004).
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14.3% of female respondents from 3 regions in Somalia reported experiencing non-partner physical violence during their lifetimes (Wirtz et al., 2018). 24.2% of conflict-affected women in East Timor reported experiencing physical violence by non-family members during the conflict; 5.8% reported experiencing it after the crisis ceased (Hynes et al., 2004).
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53 – 66% of Somali female refugees in Ethiopia (aged 18 and older, from 3 refugee camps) were estimated to have experienced physical violence perpetrated by a partner or non-partner in the past 12- 18 months (Parcesepe et al., 2016). 25 – 67% of Somali female refugees in Ethiopia (18 or younger from 3 refugee camps) were estimated to have experienced physical violence perpetrated by a partner or non-partner in the past 12- 18 months (Parcesepe et al., 2016). 30-35% of conflict affected adolescent girls (Refugees in Ethiopia and conflict-affected populations in DRC) experienced physical violence by a partner of non-partner in the past 12 months (Stark et al, 2017).
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Sexual Violence |
For ever-partnered women and girls (aged 15-64) from 3 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan, lifetime prevalence of partner sexual violence ranged between 44 and 50% (Global Women's Institute & the International Rescue Committee, 2017). 24.7% of female respondents from 3 regions in Somalia reported experiencing partner sexual violence during their lifetimes (Wirtz et al., 2018). For ever-partnered adolescent girls (aged 15-19) from 2 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan, prevalence of partner sexual violence raged between 26-32% (Murphy et al., 2018).
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28 to 33% of female respondents (aged 15-64) from 3 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan have experienced non-partner sexual violence (Global Women's Institute & the International Rescue Committee, 2017). 22-23% of adolescent girls (aged 15-19) from 2 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan have experienced non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (Murphy et al., 2018). 3.6% of female respondents from 3 regions in Somalia reported experiencing non-partner sexual violence during their lifetimes (Wirtz et al., 2018). 22.7% of conflict-affected respondents in East Timor reported sexual violence by non-family members during the crisis compared to 9.7% after the crisis ceased (Hynes et al., 2004). 9% of IDP respondents in Sierra Leone reported 1 or more war-related sexual assault experience (Amowtiz et al., 2002). 15% of conflict-affected respondents in Liberia reported that they had been raped, subjected to attempted rape, or sexually coerced by soldiers or fighters (Swiss et al., 1998). |
35-42% of Somali female refugees in Ethiopia (aged 18 and older, from 3 refugee camps) were estimated to have been raped by a partner or non-partner in the preceding 12-18 months (Parcesepe et al., 2016). 2.4 - 3.3% of Somali female refugees in Ethiopia (Below 18; from 3 refugee camps) were estimated to have been raped by a partner or non-partner in the preceding 12-18 month (Parcesepe et al., 2016). 18-21% of conflict affected adolescent girls (Refugees in Ethiopia and conflict-affected populations in DRC) experienced forced sex - by a partner of non-partner (Stark et al, 2017). 14-16% of conflict affected adolescent girls (Refugees in Ethiopia and conflict-affected populations in DRC) experienced forced sex - by a partner of non-partner in the past 12 months (Stark et al, 2017). 4.3% of conflict-affected women in Kosovo reported experiencing rape in their lifetime (Hynes & Cardozo, 2000).
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Combined/ Not Specified |
For ever-partnered women and girls (from 3 conflict-affected sites), lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence ranged between 54% and 73% (Global Women's Institute & the International Rescue Committee, 2017). For ever-partnered adolescent girls (aged 15-19) from 2 conflict-affected sites in South Sudan, prevalence of partner physical or sexual violence raged between 39-42% (Murphy et al., 2018). 75.9% of conflict-affected respondents in Bosnia and Herzegovina were physically, psychologically, and sexually abused by their husbands in their lifetimes (Avdibegovic & Sinanovic, 2006). 52.7% of partnered conflict-affected women in East Timor experienced IPV in the year before the crisis or in the year prior to the survey (after the crisis) (Hynes et al., 2004).
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49% of conflict-affected respondents in Liberia reported experiencing at least one act of physical or sexual violence from a soldier or fighter in a 5-year period (Swiss et al., 1998).
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17.4% of women (from 2 IDP sites in Iraq) interviewed who indicated domestic violence occurred directed toward women of the family (Lafta et al., 2016). |