Women's Refugee Commission

Women's Refugee Commission. The Women's Refugee Commission is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons around the world, particularly women and children, in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and International Rescue Committee. The organization was founded in 1989 by Holly Burkhalter and has since worked in various countries, including Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria, to address the unique needs of displaced women and children, often in partnership with Oxfam, Save the Children, and UNICEF. The Women's Refugee Commission has also worked closely with European Union, United States Department of State, and Australian Government to advocate for policies that support the protection and empowerment of displaced women and children, including through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

● History

The Women's Refugee Commission was established in 1989 by Holly Burkhalter, who served as the organization's first executive director, with the support of International Rescue Committee and Church World Service. The organization's early work focused on addressing the needs of refugee women and children in Thailand and Cambodia, in partnership with UNHCR, World Food Programme, and International Committee of the Red Cross. In the 1990s, the Women's Refugee Commission expanded its work to include Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda, where it worked to address the needs of survivors of sexual violence and displaced persons, in collaboration with Medecins Sans Frontieres, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. The organization has also worked in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Iraq, often in partnership with World Health Organization, UNDP, and European Commission.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Women's Refugee Commission's mission is to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons, with a particular focus on women and children, in collaboration with UNHCR, IOM, and ICRC. The organization's objectives include ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for displaced women and children, often through partnerships with World Bank, USAID, and DFID. The Women's Refugee Commission also works to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and to promote the rights and empowerment of displaced women and children, in line with Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Convention on the Rights of the Child. The organization has worked with European Parliament, United States Congress, and Australian Parliament to advocate for policies that support the protection and empowerment of displaced women and children.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The Women's Refugee Commission has a range of programs and initiatives that focus on addressing the needs of displaced women and children, often in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, and Oxfam. The organization's programs include education and child protection initiatives, such as Accelerated Education Program and Child Friendly Spaces, which have been implemented in South Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. The Women's Refugee Commission also has programs that focus on economic empowerment and livelihoods, such as Women's Economic Empowerment Program and Cash Transfer Program, which have been implemented in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Iraq. The organization has also worked with World Food Programme, FAO, and IFAD to address food security and nutrition needs of displaced populations.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The Women's Refugee Commission is a strong advocate for the rights and protection of displaced women and children, often in partnership with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization works with United Nations, European Union, and United States Government to promote policies and practices that support the protection and empowerment of displaced women and children, including through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Council of Europe. The Women's Refugee Commission has also worked with NGOs, such as Oxfam, Save the Children, and Medecins Sans Frontieres, to advocate for the rights and needs of displaced women and children, and has participated in United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council to promote the protection of displaced populations.

● Research_and_Publications

The Women's Refugee Commission conducts research and publishes reports and briefs on issues related to displaced women and children, often in partnership with UNHCR, UNICEF, and World Bank. The organization's research focuses on topics such as gender-based violence, education, and economic empowerment, and has been published in The Lancet, Journal of Refugee Studies, and Forced Migration Review. The Women's Refugee Commission has also published reports on the situation of displaced women and children in specific countries, such as Syria, South Sudan, and Afghanistan, and has worked with European University Institute, Harvard University, and University of Oxford to promote research and analysis on displacement issues. The organization's publications are widely read by policymakers, practitioners, and academics working on displacement issues, including those at United Nations University, Overseas Development Institute, and Brookings Institution.

Category:Refugee organizations