Girls and women are at greater risk of gender-based violence as a result of global food shortages, according to new research by Plan International.

According to the NGO, girls risk becoming “invisible” victims as a combination of the climate crisis, conflict in Ukraine and other countries, and economic shocks have left 50 million people worldwide on the brink of starvation.

Interviews and analysis carried out across eight countries – Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Haiti – found that although the exact causes of hunger differ from country to country, there is evidence in almost all that violence against girls and women is increasing.

Rape, intimate partner violence, child, early and forced marriages, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation were all reported by study respondents to be on the rise.

In Ethiopia, which together with Kenya and Somalia is currently suffering the worst drought experienced in the Horn of Africa in 40 years, external data suggests child marriage has increased by 51% in a year as desperate families resort to marrying their daughters to relieve pressure on household finances or obtain dowry payments.

Girls and women also face sexual and physical violence as they search for scarce drinking water, often travelling 15 to 25km to do so, including at night to avoid crowds.

The report, called Beyond Hunger: The gendered impacts of the global hunger crisis, is based on evidence provided by 7,158 respondents through a combination of household surveys, focus groups and key informants, carried out by Plan International and partners.

Across the eight countries, it also found that social norms mean girls and women often eat less and after boys and men in the same household, with profound consequences for their health and development.

“The world is in the grip of a deadly and escalating hunger crisis. Globally, there are now 50 million people on the brink of starvation. Many of them, including infants and pregnant women, are teetering on the edge of famine,” said Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan International’s global humanitarian director.

“Unless international support is scaled up urgently, countless girls risk becoming invisible victims of this devastating hunger crisis. Hunger is a solvable problem, but urgent action is needed to stop this food crisis from becoming a full-blown famine which will hit children, especially girls, the hardest. Donors need to step up funding.”

The report found that hunger is also disrupting children’s education, as school enrolment and attendance drop as food insecurity increases – with girls’ education disproportionately deprioritised. Families report that when children do attend school, they are struggling to keep up with their studies due to being hungry.

Globally, Plan International has joined the urgent call to donor governments to provide USD$ 22.2 billion to avert the risk of starvation for 50 million people who are on the brink of famine.

The child rights and humanitarian organisation is also calling for funding to be earmarked for child protection, gender-based violence, nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and education programmes.

To learn more about the report visit the Plan International Australia website.