Responding to the Syrian crisis: the needs of women and girls

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict because of a lack of access to essential services as learnt from humanitarian crises in recent years. Poor access to sexual assault treatment and emergency obstetric care can contribute to negative health outcomes. In Syria women and girls are strongly affected by the recent conflict and according to the UN Population Fund about 1.7 million women and girls might need access to reproductive health services. Because women often have an essential role I post-conflict reconstruction their basic needs should be met so they can emerge from this ongoing crisis as essential stakeholders in the recovery process. [excerpt]