Women and girls affected by humanitarian crisis are exposed to heightened risks of violence and exploitation. It is therefore vital that emergency response prevents violence and empowers women and girls to improve their own well-being and that of their families and communities.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has committed to gender equality and to ensure our programmes narrow the gap in outcomes between women and men, girls and boys. Alongside this we have made a commitment to increasing the use of cash relief programmes.

Cash relief can play a role in women’s empowerment in emergencies and, when delivered in the right way, it can reduce gender inequalities and violence. Having cash in their hands can boost women’s self-confidence, increase their household decision-making power and reduce finance-related household tensions.