The Impact Of War On The Health Of Women

Assault, Rape, Violence And Maternal Death In Areas of Conflict

Sep 29, 2009

Women are especially vulnerable to crimes of violence and the effects of war. The loss of security and infrastructure increases the risks of rape and maternal death.

Modern war is asymmetrical and causes a great deal of direct injury to civilians and immense damage to infrastructure including to health care and medical facilities. Women are especially vulnerable to the loss of security and safety in a war ravaged society.

Women In Post War Society Face Loss of Income and Security

Widows and wives of imprisoned or missing men remain behind as the only caregivers and providers for children and the elderly. Pregnant and nursing women often face life threatening medical complications and do not have adequate access to health care. The loss of male heads of family also results in the loss of primary income; women who are often less educated than men and without skills cannot find an alternate source of income.Women are also less able to move around due to social restrictions and violence.

Sexual Violence and Rape Increases in Areas of Conflict

Sexual violence in particular is a serious concern for women in areas of conflict. War and the loss of order and security gravely increases the risk for women of becoming a victim of rape or sexual assault. Rape is a brutal war tactic used by aggressors against both men and women, though women are affected in much higher numbers. Rape is used to torture, humiliate, degrade and control civilian populations. It is a systematic method to break the will of a people and has been used in Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Iraq and other areas of war.

Rape can also cause serious physical harm through the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Reproductive health and the health of unborn children can be affected by sexually transmitted diseases and medical attention is needed. Victims face psychological trauma and may be marginalized from society as well. Pregnancies may also be caused by rape.

High Maternal Mortality in War Torn Countries

Women in areas of war and conflict face high risks of death, illness and disability associated with pregnancy and childbirth, as well as high infant mortality rates. Armed conflict disrupts already poor ecosystems causing malnutrition and unbearable circumstances for pregnant women and developing fetuses. Pregnant women require the appropriate nutrition as well as pre-natal and post-natal care. Nursing mothers who are malnourished or ill cannot provide enough breast milk or milk with enough nutrients for the development of healthy infants. When formula is used, infants often become ill due to a lack of clean water and enriched milk formula.

Forced migration and displacement makes it even harder for women to get access to basic health care or follow up care. Loss of shelter and crowding in refugee camps increases illness, infections and lack of hygiene and support.

According to the World Health Organization more than half a million women or girls die every year due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth. Maternal death is defined as the death of a woman during the pregnancy or within 42 days after childbirth due to complications from the pregnancy. Areas with the highest rates of maternal death include Afghanistan, Angola, Chad, The Congo, Liberia, Somalia and Sierra Leone.

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