Mitigating Threats to Girls's Education in Conflict Affected Contexts: Current Practice

Conflict amplifies existing power dynamics and inequalities in families and societies because of the insecurity and fear caused by the upheaval of support structures. Conflicts generally result in the loss of livelihoods and changes in social roles for men and women. Girls, women, boys, and men have different experiences, face different risks, and have different ways of coping. During conflict, educational needs change and different barriers to education for girls and boys emerge or become more evident. Structural inequalities often intensify during periods of crisis. Because they tend to be at a lower status than men and boys and generally have less access to financial resources, social capital, and legal means to protect themselves when conflict arises, the poorest women and girls can experience greater dependency, socioeconomic disempowerment, and limited social mobility. The lack of an enabling environment that actively promotes gender equality and equal access to opportunities both before and during crises is a fundamental threat to the ability of girls and women to fulfil their rights, including the right to education. At the same time, the social disruption experienced during conflict can present an opportunity to harness shifts in gender roles and responsibilities to set new precedents for gender equality (Wood, 2008; Nicolai, 2009; UNICEF, 2016).