Gender, inclusion and humanitarian principles in conflict contexts

The promotion of gender equality and the curtailment of marginalization are fundamentally aligned with the principle of humanity, as reflected in the humanitarian sector’s goals to alleviate suffering and preserve dignity in conflict contexts. However, as recent events such as those in Afghanistan demonstrate, humanitarian agencies face challenges and dilemmas in their efforts to provide impartial, gender-responsive assistance, particularly where there is systemic gender-based marginalization. Humanitarian principles – humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence – are compatible with an approach that considers gender in project design and analysis. In particular, the principle of impartiality supports the response of agencies to gender inequalities in their allocation of humanitarian services and resources. However, the needs-based approach that underpins impartiality has two key limitations for the promotion of gender equality: it is restricted to addressing the outcomes of inequality rather than the underlying causes; and its focus on vulnerability risks undermining the agency of conflict-affected people and can, in turn, reproduce power imbalances between communities and international humanitarian agencies. Where marginalization is systemic, there is also the possibility of tension emerging between the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality. In such contexts, aid organizations may be required to advocate for the removal of social, political and economic barriers to provide impartial humanitarian assistance to marginalized groups, which host governments or communities may not view as a ‘neutral’ approach. This paper emphasizes the importance of applying humanitarian principles in wider efforts to contribute to more equitable and peaceful societies, including by addressing the gendered drivers and outcomes of conflict via integrated practice across the humanitarian, development and peace spheres. The current Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) operational guidance for coordinated assessments is due for revision, which provides an opportunity to integrate a stronger gender and inclusion focus in needs assessments. The IASC humanitarian programme cycle is also being evaluated and this process could provide an opportunity to enhance the role of conflict-affected communities, as well as women-led and women’s rights organizations in humanitarian work.