More than 60 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights without distinction of any kind.” Today, women and girls continue to face obstacles in claiming and enjoying their rights on an equal basis with men and boys. Displacement often exacerbates these inequalities. In the last three decades UNHCR has led the way to ensure further elaboration of international and legal standards aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of displaced, refugee and asylum-seeker women and girls. These standards are expressed in treaties, resolutions, declarations and most importantly, actions – all of which are underpinned by the recognition that women’s and girls’ rights are human rights and that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are essential preconditions for development, peace and security for everyone.
