According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, a survey conducted last May revealed “a rise in sexual violence cases within internally displaced persons (IDP) sites and conflict-affected regions.” The report specifically highlighted instances of “sexual exploitation, harassment, and forced marriage.”

This heightened vulnerability emerges within a “critical humanitarian context” in parts of the central Sahel, particularly impacting women who face not only increased risks of sexual violence but also suffer from inadequate access to crucial sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

The UN agency noted that May 2025 witnessed an intensification of armed violence, predominantly in the regions of Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti, and Ménaka. A surge in attacks by armed groups triggered significant new waves of displacement.

Access to health services remains severely restricted

The number of internally displaced persons has neared 380,000, a substantial increase from 330,000 in May 2024, representing an almost 15% rise. “Women and girls are at the core of these vulnerabilities, being disproportionately affected by this insecurity and the ongoing humanitarian crisis,” stated the UNFPA.

Among the 6.4 million individuals requiring humanitarian assistance, over half are women and girls. Many of these reside in areas where access to essential protection and health services is extremely limited, as per the agency’s findings.

Presently, less than a quarter of health facilities in crisis-affected regions offer comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare or support services for survivors of gender-based violence. Across the nation, nearly half of all specialized services in this critical area remain non-operational. The regions most severely impacted include Gao (76%), Ménaka (77%), Mopti (56%), and Timbuktu (80%).

On the ground, UNFPA teams are actively scaling up their humanitarian efforts. They are providing support to 86 health facilities, establishing six safe spaces specifically for women and girls, and setting up seven one-stop centers in the most affected central and northern regions, including Ségou, Mopti, Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka.

“Colossal” funding shortfall jeopardizes essential aid

During May alone, mobile health units delivered sexual and reproductive health services and anti-gender-based violence programs to nearly 3,000 individuals in displaced persons’ camps, with women and young girls accounting for 80% of beneficiaries.

Midwives were instrumental in providing prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, while dignity kits and reproductive health supplies were distributed in areas affected by both flooding and conflict.

Across Mali, approximately 900,000 women and girls are targeted for reproductive health services or sexual violence prevention programs. However, the humanitarian response faces severe underfunding. Out of this year’s appeal for $16.5 million, the UNFPA has only secured $2.9 million, leaving the agency grappling with a “colossal deficit of $13.5 million” needed to assist thousands of vulnerable women and girls.

Crucially, “without urgent additional funding,” the scope and sustainability of programs addressing sexual violence and providing vital reproductive health services in Mali are gravely jeopardized.