asylum seekers

Displaced women demonstrating fuel-efficient mud stoves in North Darfur

Beyond Firewood

Risking rape to collect FUEL FOR COOKING

The areas around refugee or internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are notoriously dangerous. Yet every day, millions of women and girls venture out into this danger, risking rape, assault, abduction, theft or even murder, in order to collect firewood to cook with or to sell in order to survive.

Humanitarian agencies rarely provide cooking fuel. Even more rarely do men collect the wood. The risks associated with firewood collection have been well known for years, yet few effective strategies are in place to combat the problem.

Seeking Solutions

The Women's Commission is pushing for solutions that reduce displaced women's and girls' vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV) as they collect firewood. Physical protection strategies, such as patrols to accompany women, can actively prevent attacks during the collection of firewood. The development of alternative sources of cooking fuel can help lessen the potential for attack.

In the report, Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls, the Women's Commission outlines alternative fuel options, firewood collection techniques and other protection strategies that should be used in displaced and refugee situations.

To be effective, however, all strategies aimed at reducing the threat to women and girls should be accompanied by the development of income-generation activities. Women and girls must be able to earn a living in ways other than collecting or selling firewood. Read more about the Women's Commission's work on providing economic opportunities for refugees.

Women's Commission Leads International Efforts to Address
Fuel-related Issues for Refugees

The Women's Commission has established an Inter-agency Task Force (IASC) – the highest UN coordination body – to address this issue. With 25 members representing 17 key UN humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and the major NGO consortia, the Task Force is developing guidance on how to address all fuel-related issues in humanitarian settings. The Task Force is holding its final meeting in May 2008.

We have also brought together an international network of local and international organizations, donors and technology experts to share information and best practices about implementing fuel projects in the field.

The Women's Commission has been undertaking a series of site visits over the last two years, interviewing hundreds of refugee and internally displaced women in Darfur, Chad, Nepal, Thailand and Ethiopia to determine their needs and preferences with regard to cooking fuel. Their opinions feed into the work of the Inter-agency Task Force.

TAKE ACTION

Ask your Senators to support the International Violence Against Women Act, which would make efforts to address gender-based violence as a key priority in U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Learn More

Read the full report, Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls and the companion publications:

View photos of alternative fuels used in refugee settings.