NEW YORK/GENEVA – Oumo, a young woman from sub-Saharan Africa is fleeing persecution that has left her brother-in-law dead and her sister missing. Fearing for her life, she made the dangerous and difficult journey to Europe where she is hoping to find asylum and safety. During her journey to Greece, Oumo was forced to engage in transactional sex twice to secure passage on a boat and a fake passport. Upon arrival on a Greek island, she slept in the open without shelter, privacy or access to assistance. “I fear that I will go crazy,” she admitted.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR), UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) are concerned about the grave risks to refugee and migrant women and girls on the move in Europe, such as Oumo and others.

Harsh winter conditions mean less people are risking the sea voyage to reach Europe this month, compared to the previous months. However, there is still an average of 2,000 people arriving every day. And as governments enforce restrictions and tighten border controls, reception and transit facilities could become overcrowded and tense, increasing the risks to women and girls. Out of desperation, refugees and migrants could also turn to more dangerous routes in the hands of smugglers.

As of 15 January 2016, just over 55 per cent of those arriving are women and children, compared to only 27 per cent in June 2015. The humanitarian response across the eastern Mediterranean and western Balkan routes is prioritizing the mainstreaming and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence into all humanitarian activities. The capacity to prevent, identify and respond adequately, however, depends largely on individual states and European Union (EU) agencies assuming responsibility and taking appropriate actions.

UNFPA, UNHCR and WRC conducted a joint field assessment of risks involved for refugee and migrant women and girls in Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in November 2015. As noted in the subsequent field report: “Single women travelling alone or with children, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, unaccompanied children, early-married children — sometimes themselves with newborn babies — persons with disabilities, and elderly men and women are among those who are particularly at risk and require a coordinated and effective protection response.” This joint venture was the first among several field missions and profiling exercises that aid and advocacy agencies are conducting to accurately assess the problems on the ground and recommend key actions to address them.

Many refugee and migrant women and girls have already been exposed to various forms of sexual and gender-based violence, either in their country of origin, first asylum or along the journey to and in Europe.  Some of the women interviewed by the mission described being forced to engage in transactional sex to “pay for” travel documents or their journey. Some women and girls are so reluctant to delay their journey and that of their families that they refuse to report sexual and gender-based violence crimes or seek medical attention.

"The health and rights of survivors of wars and persecution, especially women and adolescent girls, should not be treated like an afterthought in humanitarian response," said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director. "UNFPA is working with partners to ensure that women refugees and migrants have access to sexual and reproductive health services, and to prevent and respond to gender-based violence."

“Many women and girls travelling on their own are entirely exposed, deprived of their family or community to protect them,” Director of UNHCR’s Bureau for Europe, Vincent Cochetel said. “And even those travelling with family are often vulnerable to abuse. Often they are not reporting crimes and thus not receiving the support they need. Some women have even told us they have married out of desperation.”

“Because the reception facilities in Europe were not set up to prevent or respond to SGBV, women and girls are not getting the protection they need and deserve from this humanitarian response, “said Sarah Costa, Executive Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission. “We should commit to the interventions that we know will help, including deploying SGBV experts along the route.”

The joint mission found that the current response by governments, humanitarian actors, EU institutions and agencies and civil society organizations is inadequate and fails to prevent and respond to the danger, exploitation and multiple forms of sexual and gender-based violence women and girls are facing across Europe. For example, despite attempts by UNHCR and partners to ensure well-lit and gender segregated reception facilities and shelter, many lack private, safe water, sanitation and health (WASH) facilities and sleeping areas for women and children, exposing them to potential or further sexual and gender-based violence risks. The joint assessment noted the need for civil society organizations and humanitarian partners to integrate sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response into all sectors, such as WASH, shelter, health, etc., as well as provision of legal aid and psychosocial support.

The report also highlights some key recommendations for governments and EU agencies:
• Establish a coordinated response system within and across borders that protects women and girls;
• Acknowledge the protection risks and put personnel and procedures in place specifically to prevent, identify, and respond to sexual and gender-based violence;
• Ensure response to sexual and gender-based violence that recognizes women will not stop to report SGBV or access services; and
• Provide legal pathways to protection, especially for women, children and sexual and gender-based violence survivors, including effective family reunification and prioritization of these refugees with specific needs in relocation and resettlement opportunities.

Download the full joint report here.

Media contacts:
UNHCR: William Spindler in Geneva: +41 79 217 3011, spindler@unhcr.org
UNFPA: Omar Gharzeddine in New York:  +1 212 297 5028, gharzeddine@unfpa.org
WRC: Deni Robey in New York: +1 212 551 2996, drobey@wrcommission.org