The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

among surviving communities. In Bosnia, the MSI project had to adapt its
activities to respond to changing sexual behaviour, particularly <strong>of</strong> young people,
during the return and reintegration phase. <strong>The</strong> programme noted an increase in
unsafe, high-risk sexual activities.
<strong>Conflict</strong> Resolution, Rehabilitation and Return
Positive <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conflict</strong>
<strong>Conflict</strong> brings change. This can have positive and negative effects on the
lives <strong>of</strong> women and men. In many cases, conflict has a negative impact on
women and reproductive health. However, there are examples <strong>of</strong> how conflict
has been a force for positive social change. Women find themselves undertaking
non-traditional roles during displacement, requiring new skills which can be built
upon and strengthened to enable them to play a greater role on return to home
communities.
<strong>The</strong> vocational and educational components <strong>of</strong> the MSI Bosnia project,
including computer skills, language courses, hairdressing, typing and
dressmaking, formed a vital part in the rehabilitation process. <strong>The</strong>se activities
allowed women to acquire education and training, raising their self-esteem and
empowering them to take control <strong>of</strong> their lives. Links were developed with
potential employers, and many beneficiaries obtained employment as a result <strong>of</strong>
the project.
Providing training to a range <strong>of</strong> people, including Afghani and Pakistani
doctors, medical students and lady health visitors from the communities, is an
important component <strong>of</strong> the programme to improve reproductive health provision
among Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Increasing knowledge and acceptability <strong>of</strong>
reproductive health services inevitably leads to increased access for the host and
refugee populations. Equally important is the increase in knowledge and
awareness which will remain with and strengthen the community on their
eventual return.
Not only are new roles undertaken during displacement but new skills
learned as well as new lifestyles and opportunities. Access to contraceptives may
actually be greater in the country <strong>of</strong> refuge than in the home community. Access
to services can be greater especially in a camp environment. It is essential that
women do not lose these advantages gained during displacement on their return.
Many communities refuse to return to home villages where services and
infrastructure are non-existent. This can severely hamper the rehabilitation
process and should be urgently addressed. Women are ideally placed to
contribute to the rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> home areas and should be empowered to do so.
This may include ongoing and/or refresher training, education, community
awareness, peer support, and the equitable distribution <strong>of</strong> resources alongside
the rebuilding <strong>of</strong> infrastructure.
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