Women and girls face heightened vulnerabilities compared to men in the context of nature-induced disasters. These disparities are indeed significant and are a result of a combination of social, cultural, and economic factors.
During emergencies, women have limited participation and access to information. Cultural norms and restrictions often limit women’s participation in the public sphere, which can hinder their ability to receive timely and critical information during emergencies.
Societal norms and traditional clothing can restrict women’s mobility during emergencies. Activities like running, climbing, or swimming may be socially frowned upon, making it harder for women to access safety. Traditional clothing like “SAREE” can also hinder movement, posing additional challenges during evacuation. It can impede their ability to seek safety.
Emergency shelters are essential during disasters, but they often lack proper facilities and services tailored to the needs of women. This includes separate and private toilet and washroom facilities, as well as spaces for breastfeeding. The absence of such facilities can lead to discomfort and health issues.
Additionally, women face a lack of Healthcare and Reproductive Needs. The dearth of healthcare facilities exposes women to reproductive and sexual health risks. On average, natural disasters claim more women’s lives or affect them at a younger age compared to men. Shelters can become unsafe spaces for women and girls due to the risk of gender-based harassment, especially if they become separated from their families.
The instinct of self-protection and prioritizing asset protection can sometimes disadvantage women, especially when it comes to evacuating and accessing safety. Despite women shouldering broader caregiving responsibilities, they encounter barriers to accessing relief materials due to their perceived role as secondary breadwinners in families.
On the other hand, in society, the stereotype that women are weaker than men contributes significantly to their vulnerability during and after disasters. These stereotypes persist through media, social, and educational channels, fostering gender bias and discrimination. Harmful stereotypes restrict both women’s and men’s potential, hindering their abilities and aspirations.
Addressing these disparities requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, non-governmental organizations, communities, and individuals. Strategies may include Ensuring women’s participation in decision-making processes related to disaster management, providing targeted healthcare services for women’s reproductive and sexual health needs, developing gender-sensitive disaster response plans and policies, providing gender-sensitive training for emergency responders, creating safe and inclusive emergency shelters with proper facilities, promoting gender equality, and challenging harmful cultural norms.
It’s crucial to recognize that gender disparities in disaster situations are interconnected with broader issues of gender inequality. Efforts to address these disparities should be integrated into wider gender empowerment initiatives to create lasting change.
Author: Executive Director, Ignite Global Foundation
