International humanitarian law has always accorded women general protection equal to that of men. At the same time the humanitarian law treaties recognize the need to give women additional special protection according to their specific needs. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977 protect women (and men) as members of the civilian population not taking part in an armed conflict. Women (and men) as members of the armed forces are also protected when captured by the enemy.