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

Presenting findings from a recent survey conducted in May, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on sexual and reproductive health, highlighted “a surge in incidents of sexual violence within internally displaced persons’ sites and active conflict zones.” The report specifically documented instances of “sexual exploitation, harassment, and forced marriage.”

This heightened vulnerability unfolds against a “critical humanitarian backdrop” in specific areas of the central Sahel, particularly impacting women who not only confront elevated risks of sexual violence but also suffer from “inadequate access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.”

According to the UN agency, May 2025 witnessed a significant escalation in armed conflict, particularly in the regions of Tombouctou, Gao, Mopti, and Ménaka, characterized by a resurgence of attacks from armed groups. These violent outbreaks have triggered fresh waves of mass displacement.

Access to vital health services remains severely restricted

The population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has surged to nearly 380,000, a substantial increase from 330,000 recorded in May 2024, representing an almost 15% rise. The UNFPA emphasized that “women and girls bear the brunt of these vulnerabilities, being disproportionately impacted by the prevailing insecurity and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.”

Out of the 6.4 million individuals requiring humanitarian assistance, more than half are women and girls. Many of these reside in areas where access to both protection mechanisms and healthcare services is severely constrained, as reported by the agency.

Currently, fewer than 25% of health facilities in crisis-affected regions offer comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare or provide adequate support for survivors of gender-based violence.

Nationwide, almost half of all specialized services dedicated to this critical area remain non-operational. The regions most severely impacted by these closures include Gao (76%), Ménaka (77%), Mopti (56%), and Tombouctou (80%).

On the ground, UNFPA teams are actively scaling up their humanitarian efforts. This includes supporting 86 health facilities, establishing six safe spaces specifically for women and girls, and operating seven ‘one-stop’ centers across the most affected central and northern regions, namely Ségou, Mopti, Gao, Tombouctou, and Ménaka.

Colossal funding shortfall threatens vital aid

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

Midwives provided essential prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, while dignity kits and reproductive health supplies were distributed in areas impacted by both flooding and ongoing conflict.

Across Mali, an estimated 900,000 women and girls are identified as targets for reproductive health services or programs aimed at combating sexual violence.

However, the humanitarian response remains significantly underfunded. Out of this year’s appeal for $16.5 million, UNFPA has only secured $2.9 million. Consequently, the agency’s teams are grappling with a “colossal deficit of $13.5 million,” severely hindering their capacity to assist thousands of vulnerable women and girls.

Crucially, “without urgent additional funding,” the scope and long-term viability of programs addressing sexual violence and providing reproductive health services in Mali are severely jeopardized.