Critique on the International Legal Standards Pertaining to Displaced Women in the Context of Armed Conflict

While displacement causes a plethora of problems for men and women, displaced women face additional, gender-specific problems. This article discusses the international legal standards that protect women in conflict-related displacement. The author examines the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the London Declaration of International Law Principles on IDPs, CEDAWs Optional Protocol, international humanitarian law, and international refugee law. The author shows how displaced women can make use of these legal instruments to obtain redress for trauma and suffering. The author concludes that progress has been made in protecting displaced women, but that governments should take further steps and displaced women should be made aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.