Humanitarian need is rising sharply amid a historic peak in the number and lethality of armed conflicts, and women and girls are disproportionately affected. In 2024 there were more state-based armed conflicts than any year since World War II, and it was among the deadliest years since the end of the Cold War.1 Civilian protection, gender equality and locally led action are therefore central to conflict prevention and to the effectiveness of Australia’s development program. Australia’s policy settings, including the 2023 International Development Policy and the Second National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) 2021–2031, provide a strong foundation to act, but requirefocused implementation, investment and measurement to deliver intended outcomes.
With the wide-ranging cuts to the international development sector during 2025, Australia’s international development program will be even more critical in identifying, understanding and addressing conflict and its drivers. The current program encompasses numerous initiatives to build social cohesion, to reduce environmental stress and to boost economic opportunity.
