A/HRC/23/44 protection and development strategies at the community level. In countries such as Colombia and Georgia, IDW have formed organizations to advocate for their rights at multiple levels, gaining important political skills and capacity to inform and advise other women facing human rights concerns. However, IDW who mobilize to defend their rights are often exposed to increased risks and threats, including SGBV perpetrated by State or non-State armed actors.49 National and international actors should document, monitor and ensure accountability for these violations and ensure comprehensive protection for these IDPs. Equally, these actors can support the development of such groups by encouraging their engagement in policy development and implementation processes, and by promoting access to training and opportunities to exchange experiences with other women involved in mobilization efforts. Moreover, the value of IDW mobilization may extend beyond the period of displacement, as community mobilization efforts establish women as active, equal citizens and leaders. Opportunities for young IDW to participate in mobilization processes are therefore of particular importance. 6. Supporting sustainable livelihoods 46. Access to sustainable livelihoods for both women and men is now widely recognized as a key element of protection in the context of displacement, and is critical to ensuring durable solutions for IDPs.50 IDW and girls are often disproportionately affected by the loss of livelihoods during displacement. For example, due to security concerns, they may be more confined to the domestic sphere than they were prior to displacement and unable to leave the home in order to pursue livelihoods or other necessary activities. They may not be able to practise their livelihoods due to loss of land and livestock and may have particular difficulty in shifting from rural to urban lifestyles (or vice versa) and livelihood options, depending on their level of education and cultural or other barriers. In extreme circumstances, IDW and girls may resort to dangerous coping practices, such as survival sex, to feed their families. They are also often the first to drop out of school and take on work to support the family; incidences of early marriage tend to rise; and they may experience increased risk of trafficking. Such risks, as well as exposure to sexual violence, harassment, physical abuse, and exploitation, need to be taken into account when programing and advocating for livelihood programmes or schemes for IDW.51 47. In some situations, such as the Philippines, employment rates are in fact higher amongst IDW men, in part due to the fact that women benefit from greater freedom of movement because they are not seen as a threat by warring parties.52 IDW taking on new employment opportunities can result in increased tensions, particularly within families and between generations, as notions of pride, status and dignity are perceived to be challenged. These women may face increased pressure and strain, particularly if men do not shift roles to take on more domestic work. 53 However, new livelihood opportunities can strengthen the confidence, leadership skills and influence of IDW. To maximize these benefits, the skills 49 50 51 52 53 16 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders on women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues, A/HRC/16/44 and Corr.1. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Livelihoods & Economic Recovery in Crisis Situations, (2013), www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/crisis%20prevention/20130215_UNDP%20LER_guide.pdf. WRC, “Peril or Protection”. Dwyer and Cagoco-Guiam, Gender and Conflict in Mindanao. Olivia Bennett and Christopher McDowell, Displaced: The Human Cost of Development and Resettlement (New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), pp. 85–87; Rogaia Mustafa Abusharaf, Transforming Displaced Women in Sudan: Politics and the Body in a Squatter Settlement (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2009), p. 46; Priscilla Joseph, “Effects of War on Women and Children” for the Sudanese Women Peace Forum in Khartoum in 2001, cited in Abusharaf, pp. 45–46.