As the world marks International Women's Day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warns that millions of displaced and migrant women and girls remain without access to safe and adequate shelter, exposing them to heightened risks of violence, exploitation and exclusion from essential services. IOM calls on governments and partners to scale up investment in gender-responsive shelter solutions that protect rights, safety and dignity.
"For women and girls affected by crisis, safety, dignity and access to services cannot be taken for granted," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "Inadequate living conditions increase exposure to violence and limit the ability to access support and rebuild. These risks must be addressed through sustained investment, stronger protection systems and solutions designed with communities themselves."
The consequences of inadequate shelter are both immediate and long-term. In crises, women and girls often face heightened risks of violence, exploitation and abuse. They account for nearly half of the world's displaced population, yet millions still lack access to safe and dignified shelter - one of the most urgent needs in emergencies. Without it, recovery becomes significantly more difficult.
Across displacement settings, many women and girls continue to live in overcrowded, unsafe or makeshift conditions that expose them to harm and undermine their health, education and wellbeing. At the same time, the absence of identity documentation leaves many unable to access services, reclaim property or secure housing solutions, further deepening vulnerability.
The challenges often persist long after initial displacement. Women returning home frequently encounter barriers to reclaiming property or securing documentation, limiting their ability to rebuild livelihoods and participate fully in community life. Globally, women account for less than 20 per cent of landholders, reflecting persistent discrimination in land and property rights. Without secure tenure, women remain at risk of eviction, secondary displacement and exclusion from assistance.
In response, IOM works with women, community leaders and local authorities to design shelter interventions that are safe, dignified and responsive to local realities. By linking emergency shelter assistance with longer-term housing and tenure support, IOM aims to strengthen resilience and reduce future risks. However, sustained and predictable funding is essential. Current funding gaps continue to limit shelter and protection programming, leaving many women and girls without adequate housing or security.
IOM calls for gender-responsive humanitarian and development action that not only delivers shelter assistance but also supports legal and policy reforms to strengthen women's and girls' access to housing, land and tenure rights, ensuring lasting safety, dignity and wellbeing.
As IOM assumes the co-leadership of the Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster, the Organization reaffirms its commitment to placing safe shelter at the centre of protection and recovery efforts. Advancing equality requires practical measures that ensure every woman and girl on the move has not only rights in principle, but a secure place from which to exercise them.
