Mali’s escalating crisis: sexual violence surges in displaced camps

Presenting the findings of a recent survey conducted in May, the United Nations agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) reported a significant increase in sexual violence incidents across internally displaced persons (IDP) sites and active conflict zones. The report specifically highlighted cases of sexual exploitation, harassment, and forced marriage.

This heightened vulnerability occurs within a profoundly challenging humanitarian landscape in parts of the central Sahel, particularly affecting women who face elevated risks of sexual violence and are simultaneously denied adequate access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

According to the UN agency, recent months have seen a surge in armed conflict, especially in the regions of Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti, and Ménaka, marked by a sharp rise in attacks by various armed groups. These violent events have triggered new waves of mass displacement.

Access to health services remains severely constrained

The total number of internally displaced individuals has now reached nearly 380,000, a notable increase from 330,000 recorded in a previous year, representing an almost 15% rise. The UNFPA emphasized that “women and girls are disproportionately impacted by this insecurity and humanitarian crisis, placing them at the core of these vulnerabilities.”

Of the 6.4 million people requiring humanitarian assistance, more than half are women and girls. Many of these individuals reside in areas where access to both protection and fundamental health services is extremely limited, the agency noted.

Currently, fewer than a quarter of health facilities in the crisis-affected regions are equipped to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare or offer support to survivors of gender-based violence. Nearly half of the specialized services in this crucial area remain non-operational nationwide. The regions most severely affected include Gao (76%), Ménaka (77%), Mopti (56%), and Timbuktu (80%).

On the ground, UNFPA teams are actively scaling up their humanitarian efforts, providing critical support to 86 health facilities, establishing six safe spaces specifically for women and girls, and operating seven one-stop centers in the most impacted central and northern regions, including Ségou, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka.

During May alone, mobile health teams delivered sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence response programs to nearly 3,000 individuals in displaced persons camps, with 80% of beneficiaries being women and young girls.

Midwives played a vital role, offering prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, while dignity kits and reproductive health supplies were distributed in areas affected by both flooding and conflict.

Across Mali, an estimated 900,000 women and girls are targeted for essential reproductive health services or programs aimed at combating sexual violence.

A substantial funding shortfall

Despite these critical needs, the humanitarian response remains significantly underfunded. Out of this year’s appeal for $16.5 million, UNFPA has only secured $2.9 million. Consequently, the agency’s teams face a “colossal deficit of $13.5 million,” hindering their capacity to assist thousands of vulnerable women and girls.

Without urgent additional funding, the scope and long-term viability of programs designed to combat sexual violence and provide essential reproductive health services in Mali are severely jeopardized.