Escalating sexual violence in Mali’s displacement camps and conflict zones

As instability and forced displacement persist across central and northern Mali, women face increasingly severe risks of gender-based violence, a United Nations agency has warned.

The UN agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) recently released findings from a May survey, revealing a concerning surge in instances of sexual violence within internal displacement sites and active conflict zones. The report specifically highlighted cases of sexual exploitation, harassment, and forced marriage.

This heightened vulnerability emerges amidst a “critical humanitarian context” in parts of the central Sahel, where women are not only exposed to greater risks of sexual violence but also suffer from inadequate access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

According to the UN body, May 2025 witnessed an escalation of armed violence, particularly in the regions of Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti, and Ménaka, marked by a resurgence of attacks from armed groups. These violent outbreaks triggered significant new waves of displacement.

access to health services remains severely constrained

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has nearly reached 380,000, a significant increase from 330,000 in May 2024, representing an approximate 15% rise. UNFPA emphasized that “women and girls bear the brunt of these vulnerabilities, disproportionately affected by this insecurity and humanitarian crisis.”

Out of the 6.4 million individuals requiring humanitarian assistance, more than half are women and girls. Many reside in areas where access to both protection and vital health services is profoundly limited, the agency reported.

Currently, less than a quarter of health facilities in crisis-affected regions offer comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care or support for survivors of gender-based violence. Nearly half of all specialized services in this sector remain non-operational nationwide. The most severely impacted regions include Gao (76% closure), Ménaka (77%), Mopti (56%), and Timbuktu (80%).

On the ground, UNFPA teams continue to scale up their humanitarian efforts. They are actively supporting 86 health facilities, establishing six secure safe spaces for women and girls, and operating seven one-stop centers in the most affected central and northern regions, including Ségou, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka.

“colossal” funding shortfall jeopardizes aid

In May alone, mobile health teams delivered sexual and reproductive health services and anti-gender-based violence programs to nearly 3,000 individuals in displacement camps, with women and adolescent girls comprising 80% of beneficiaries.

Midwives provided critical prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, while dignity kits and reproductive health supplies were distributed in areas devastated by floods and conflict.

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

However, the humanitarian response faces severe underfunding. Of this year’s appeal for $16.5 million, UNFPA has received only $2.9 million, leaving the agency with a “colossal deficit of $13.5 million” needed to assist thousands of vulnerable women and girls.

Without urgent additional funding, the scope and long-term viability of programs combating sexual violence and providing essential reproductive health services in Mali are critically jeopardized.