In response to the crucial need for evidence around Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS) programming globally, CARE USA conducted a study to examine the effectiveness of WGSS in the lives of women and girls in two conflict-affected settings, Northwest Syria and South Sudan. Within each setting, the study utilized a cross-sectional design and compared findings across two primary arms: 1) women and girls involved in WGSS programs; and 2) women and girls from similar locations not involved in WGSS interventions. Findings revealed service knowledge and utilization to be significantly higher among WGSS participants in both settings. WGSS participation was also associated with a greater number and quality of female friendships outside the family, although these results differed according to age across the two country contexts. Taken cumulatively, findings from this research suggest that WGSS programs play a critical role in the lives of women and girls, with promising results shown across the majority of study outcome areas.
