Gender-based violence increases in emergencies because of the disruption of law and order, lack of support services, increased vulnerabilities, breakdown of community networks and many other reasons. Females of all ages are more vulnerable in emergencies - therefore preventing and responding to GBV are crucial protection issues that have to be addressed in all aspects of an humanitarian response.

A female-friendly spaces is a place where vulnerable females (some of whom may be GBV survivors) can go to at any time to feel safe and have access to support and services. These are integrated spaces offering a range of services including resources, information, and social networks. female-friendly spaces are used for various activities such as individual or group counseling, awareness-raising, skills-building and non-food items distribution, as well as recreational activities such as yoga, dance classes, and even laughter therapy. Information on critical issues is shared in these spaces such as where and how to access humanitarian services and information on reproductive health, legal rights, childcare and GBV. female-friendly spaces are also safe spaces that promote women’s protection and help mitigate the risk of GBV.

Many female-friendly spaces also include sleeping space for females who are alone, or who cannot return home. At a minimum, each space has an female-friendly spaces manager, a case manager, a psychosocial support specialist and an outreach worker who goes to nearby communities to raise awareness about the space. Additionally, most of the spaces have a child minder, and many have kitchens too.

UNFPA established 14 female-friendly spaces in the months following the April earthquake. As of 30 September almost 21,000 women and adolescent girls had accessed female-friendly spaces and over 22,000 had been reached through outreach activities. It has become clear that many of the services needed to relate to gender-based violence committed before the earthquake. Women simply had not sought services before because none were available. It is therefore essential that service delivery is not interrupted. UNFPA is committed to continuing to support the local authorities in providing care until more permanent solutions – such as the establishment of One Stop Crisis Management Centres and safe houses – are established at the district level.

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