Somalia faces a dire situation with escalating gender-based violence (GBV) exacerbated by armed conflicts and inter-clan tensions, compounded by the imminent threat of El Niño flooding during the 2024 Gu season. The convergence of these disasters threatens catastrophic consequences, particularly for women and girls, intensifying feminized poverty, restricting mobility, and hindering formal education opportunities. Livelihoods, particularly in female-headed households, will suffer, and essential health and social services for pregnant and lactating women will be disrupted. Minority clan women and those with disabilities in high-risk areas will bear a disproportionate burden, as access to vital services diminishes amid dwindling humanitarian funding. The looming crisis heightens risks of GBV, including sexual exploitation, violence, and harassment, exacerbated by displacement and food insecurity. Negative coping mechanisms such as begging and transactional sex may increase, alongside risks of child marriage. Intimate partner violence may escalate as families struggle to prioritize resources. Urgent action and comprehensive response plans are imperative to safeguard the rights and well-being of women and girls amidst these adversities during the upcoming Gu rainy season in Somalia 2024.
