Sexualised wartime violence

Explore on our topic page causes, effects and necessary countermeasures.

Eine lachende Frau hält zwei kleine Kinder im Arm.

Our mission

We are committed to ending sexualised violence – worldwide.

Together with our partner organisations, we strengthen women and girls in conflict areas and support them in coping with violence and trauma. We stand up for women's rights and work towards social transformation.

As a feminist women’s rights and aid organisation we do this as part of a diverse feminist movement.

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News

Aktivist:innen in Kosovo halten sich an den Händen

12. September 2024 - News

New study on the long-term consequences of conflict-related sexualised violence in Kosovo

Together with our Kosovan partner organisation Medica Gjakova, we present our new study on the long-term consequences of conflict-related sexualised violence in Kosovo. The study documents the deep, long-term psychological, physiological and…

30 evakuierte Frauenrechtsaktivistinnen aus Afghanistan haben den Verein Hami gegründet. Auf dem Gruppenfoto lachen sie und freuen sich über herausragende Arbeit aus dem Exil.

15. August 2024 - News

Women’s rights activists evacuated from Afghanistan receive the Gerhart and Renate Baum Foundation Human Rights Award 2024

Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, women in Afghanistan have experienced unprecedented oppression. However, even though their situation often appears hopeless, Afghan activists are finding courageous ways to support each other and…

Women in a room where hospital beds can also be seen.

22. April 2024 - News

Afghanistan: This is why our ongoing and long-term work for women is important

The situation for women in Afghanistan has been deteriorating since the Taliban regained power in 2021. In the most difficult of conditions, medica mondiale and women’s rights organisations in the country are continuing their struggle to uphold…

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“Our work remains necessary since injustices and violence continue and we need to bring them to an end. Women should be able to enjoy their rights, since they are essential for justice, peace and security.”

Seraphine Mukanyabyenda from SEVOTA, Rwanda

Self-care & staff care for womens rights activists

06.05.2022

Self-Care Exercise: Energy balance

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18.05.2022

Developing a staff care concept as a feminist NGO

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07.04.2021

Self-care and wellbeing for activists (PDF)

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Topics in focus

A group of women are standing in a circle, they have each clenched a fist and are holding these together in a small circle in their centre.

Overcoming trauma

Trauma that was caused by sexualised violence is more than just a psychological or physical injury. How does re-stabilisation become possible?

Violence against women

Violence against women is one of the most frequent violations of human rights. Its causes are often to be found at a structural level.

A woman with a Venus symbol painted in red on her cheek taking part in a demonstration for women’s rights.

Women's rights are human rights

Women's rights are human rights. Women are human beings, so they deserve the same basic rights, such as education, a life free of violence, and a fair wage

„War rape has a devastating effect, not only on individual women and girls, but also on families and society as a whole.“

Karin Griese, Head of the Trauma Work Department

A colleague from our partners PAIF from the Democratic Republic of Congo

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hand in hand for women's rights

Your support makes our work possible. Together with fellow activists around the world, we are stronger than ever. We are ready for a future that we will change with our strength and perseverance in a feminist way. With mutual solidarity, with trust and a shared vision, we are working to end sexualised violence worldwide. Thank you for being a part of it!

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supported projects and 5 multi-country programs in 2022

41

partner organisations worldwide

13

countries on 3 continents

“There needs to be a change of thinking here, then we will see governments and civil society showing more solidarity with women and girls in conflict areas.”

Sybille Fezer, Member of the Board for Programmes

More on violence against women

Glossary

In the glossary we explain coherences around sexualised violence in war and other forms of violence against women & girls.

Media centre

In our media library you can find videos, photos, flyers, booklets and more on topics such as women's rights and violence against women.