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As highlighted by the emergence of the #MeToo movement, violence against women and girls is a global health problem of epidemic proportion. But for women and girls caught up in conflict and crisis, where the rule of law breaks down and where the things that protect women, such as safe housing, are removed, the situation is significantly worse.

Along with her five siblings, Aya fled to the Nargazilia camp northwest of the city, where they live with 15,000 displaced people. Twice a week, she escapes her daily routine and spends time with other girls at the ̽����ѡ’s women’s and girls’ centre, a safe, women-only space in the crowded camp.

If the Generation Equality Forum is to deliver on its promise for game-changing results for all women and girls and support the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) promise to Leave No One Behind, the Forum as a whole, and the Economic Justice and Rights Action Coalition specifically, must include dedicated commitments for displaced women and girls, including refugees, IDPs and others affected by conflict and crisis who are at risk of exclusion.

For International Women's Day, the ̽����ѡ asked girls in Helowyn camp in Ethiopia to describe what it means “to be a girl.”