Women in armed conflicts: legal status and protection

Abstract

There have been more than 250 major wars since the end of World War II, resulting in over 23 million casualties. In wartime, civilians suffer the most. In today's wars, 90 percent of casualties are civilians, 75 percent of whom are women and children; a century ago, 90 percent of war casualties were male soldiers. From country to country war looks the same. In wartime, civilians suffer the most. Families are separated. Homes are destroyed. Food and water is scarce. Schools close. People are wounded or killed. Lives are shattered. Women have been trying to keep families together. Armed conflict displaces people from their homes and livelihoods. Women often have to cope with the loss of close relatives and find a new way to support themselves and their families.