Displaced women and girls in conflict settings regularly endure unimaginable difficulties, including hardships that affect their reproductive health. This is often a direct result of a loss of protection, limited access to healthcare and education, and an absence of livelihood as well as community assistance. These challenges make displaced women and girls more vulnerable to sexual violence and leave them facing a heightened risk of exploitation. War-torn countries in the region, including Iraq, are no exception to these phenomena.

Pitfalls of the status quo

To this day, women and girls in the region affected by displacement still suffer from shortfalls in access to reproductive services. The issue has only attracted limited attention partly because sexual and reproductive health is a difficult topic to broach...