Humanitarian Aid
Issues:
Disaster Risk Reduction
In the field of humanitarian aid - when approached from a gender perspective - issues such as human trafficking, sex work, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and physical security are important. Taking account of gender relations is also crucial when it comes to planning and implementing humanitarian interventions in the areas of water and sanitation, shelter and site planning, and food security in emergency situations.
Due to the different social roles of men and women, and the gender specific connotations of security and risk, women and girls may be differently positioned with regards to managing insecurity than men and boys. Women may be at greater risk of domestic and sexual violence and exploitation, particularly in post-disaster and post-conflict situations where such violence often increases. Women need protection from insecurity in order to access humanitarian relief and be able to participate in reconstruction efforts. At the same time, gender norms also affect men, and men’s behavior affects women, so men need to be a key part of any gender analysis or gendered intervention.
Links:
Publications:
Siyanda: Mainstreaming Gender Equality
SDC 2008: Gender and Humanitarian Aid
Least developed countries and countries in transition are particularly affected by natural disasters, which are causing human suffering and hampering economic development. Gender inequality is a major factor contributing to vulnerability in disaster situations: estimates predict that women and children are 14 timesmore likely to die than men during disasters. This is due to differences in socialisation whereby girls are not equipped with the same skills as their brothers, such as swimming and tree-climbing. Disasters can also reinforce gender inequalities - for example, girls are more likely to become victims of violence in the aftermath of disasters, particularly when families are livingin emergency or temporary housing. Disaster management and mitigation activities therefore have to pay attention in particular to women’s needs and priorities, and must see them not as victims but also as actors and/or potential leaders in building disaster resilience.
“A growing body of evidence now documents relevant differences and inequalities among women and men throughout the disaster process…Women’s inability to enjoy their full human rights; their poverty, economic insecurity and lack of land rights; limitations on personal autonomy and political expression; barriers to literacy, education, and training; constraints on health and time and leisure. All these combine to undermine women’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, survive, respond to, and recover from disasters.” Dr. Elaine Enarson Evergreen, Colorado USA (2004), Gender and Disaster Sourcebook.
Links:
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
SDC 2008: Guidelines on Disaster Risk Reduction
