Parwana, Afghan parolee and mother of two, is no stranger to overcoming adversity. When her family fled to the U.S. after the Taliban took control of Kabul, she was prepared to face many challenges as they built a new life for themselves in Maryland. “My only goal was for my kids to go to school, my husband to get a job, and I hoped one day I would learn English.”

Methodological Recommendations were developed as part of the project "I Know. I Can. I Practice: strengthening women's initiatives to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in local communities during armed conflict." The project is led by the Ukrainian Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations to Combat Human Trafficking, in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

In crises, the risk of GBV increases, and so does our collective need to act to prevent GBV before it happens or respond to the needs of women and girls when it does.

Some key resources to help raise awareness of the contributions of Black women throughout history and today.

Aya was forced to flee her home during the battle to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from ISIS. Now she's found a safe space at an IRC women's center where she can socialize with other girls, and learn skills to help her take control of her future.

All-women teams of medical doctors are braving long distances and treacherous terrain to bring health care to the remotest villages in Afghanistan.