In Africa’s Sahel region, escalating violence and poverty driven by displacement, hunger, and terrorism are severely impacting women and girls, stripping them of their right to safety, education, and a hopeful future. The convergence of political instability, environmental collapse, and diminishing international support has intensified the systemic risks faced by women and girls across the region.
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, highlighted that in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, extremist control has led to the erasure of women from public spaces. Their movements are heavily restricted, schools have been closed or destroyed, and abductions—used as a deliberate tactic—have surged dramatically. Additionally, high rates of female genital mutilation, child marriage, and maternal mortality continue to plague the region, further undermining the health and rights of women and girls.
Women’s resilience is increasingly challenged by growing hardships such as longer, unsafe journeys for basic resources amid worsening climate conditions. Despite these growing needs, international humanitarian aid has significantly decreased, with only a fraction of funding targets met and crucial empowerment programs being suspended. Concurrently, political and civic spaces are closing, with women’s participation in governance and institutional reforms sharply limited.
The head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, warned that ongoing jihadist attacks, political instability, and shrinking space for civil society threaten progress on governance, peacebuilding, and women’s rights. Economic vulnerabilities and rising debt continue to limit governments’ ability to deliver essential services, compounding the crisis.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made. In Chad, women hold a significant portion of parliamentary seats, and in conflict-prone border areas of Mali and Niger, women’s involvement in local peacebuilding efforts has increased substantially, leading to the resolution of resource-related disputes. UN programs have improved school attendance among adolescent girls and doubled women’s participation in local governance in conflict-affected communities, while initiatives by the UN and World Bank have supported millions of girls with health, safety, and life skills.
Nonetheless, these achievements remain fragile. Sima Bahous emphasized the importance of sustained global support for the Sahel’s women, not as an act of charity but in recognition of their vital role in shaping a better future for the region.
