The Russia‒Ukraine war, an essential driver of the current polycrisis, has exacerbated food, energy, and economic insecurity, disproportionately affecting women in Southern countries. Disrupted trade and rising costs have deepened gender inequality in African countries. Women, primarily employed in informal sectors with limited protections, face job losses, food insecurity, and reduced access to basic services. Existing economic policies often overlook gender-specific impacts, failing to address women’s roles in unpaid care, agriculture, and the informal economy. Gender- responsive policies can be more effective and cost-efficient than policies that do not consider the local gender-specific impacts and socio-economic situation of women. Gender-sensitive responses are essential to achieving multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs) (eg., poverty, inequality, hunger). Evidence- based, data-informed policy design is essential to ensuring women’s resilience and empowerment in crisis response and recovery, supporting the broader SDGs.