In this issue, we feature an array of articles commissioned with the goal of supporting humanitarian programming that promotes gender equality, women's rights, women's empowerment and leadership. Conflicts and disasters around the world have left an estimated 131.7 million people in need of international humanitarian assistance to survive, maintain life, and meet essential needs for resources, security, and protection (OCHA 2018a, 4). By the end of 2018, 70.8 million individuals were forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR 2019, 2). The global population of forcibly displaced increased by 2.3 million people in 2018, and there were 37,000 new displacements every day (ibid.). Roughly half of all these displaced persons are women and girls, who are differently and often disproportionately affected by both disasters and violent conflicts. During and after crises, pre-existing gender inequality and discrimination create particular challenges for women and girls. As a result, many endure extreme hardships, including increased insecurity, restricted mobility, sexual exploitation and abuse, and gender-based violence (GBV) (ICRC 2018). Women's livelihoods also tend to be disproportionally affected (CARE International 2017), and girls in crisis are more likely than boys to lose out on education (UNHCR n.d.). At the same time, the lack of healthcare in humanitarian settings has particular impact on women's sexual and reproductive health needs: 60 per cent of preventable maternal deaths take place in emergency settings (UNFPA 2015, 4). In an emergency, pre-existing gender inequality and discrimination tend to be further exacerbated, due to sudden shifts in gender roles and relations. Gendered social norms affect women's and girls' ability to make decisions, to propose solutions, and to lead, constraining women's lives and choices. In addition, they also affect the ability of households and wider communities to recover from crisis. Research shows that when women are involved in prevention and crisis response, it leads to better humanitarian outcomes and lowers risks (UN Women 2015). Gender equality programming thereby generates a more effective humanitarian response and a more efficient use of the limited funds available for such responses. An accountable, efficient and transparent humanitarian system that saves more lives, should recognise and value women's agency and gender-specific needs. It should support
