Women and disaster

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Resource centres, community health clinics, transition homes and shelters, though stretched in many ways, do have staff and leaders who think effectively in crisis, have networks with sister agencies and know the needs of the women they serve. With some further planning, on a somewhat larger scale, grassroots agencies can prepare for emergencies and disasters, including becoming knowledgeable about local emergency plans and roles and responsibilities of the various levels of emergency response authorities.

Part of the need for the specific planning, beyond regular work-place safety, is that in the event of a disaster or emergency, women may turn to the resource centre where they feel safe and known. At the same time, emergency planners could benefit enormously from the skills, knowledge and networks of grassroots agencies.

Understanding what women need and can do

The absence of gender analysis and limited uptake of existing knowledge about women and gender in disaster undermines the capacity of national and local emergency planners to develop plans that are inclusive, appropriate and cost effective. In other words, gender-based analysis provides critical information for planning on key issues, such as women’s evacuation behaviour, long-term economic recovery, and violence prevention. Indeed human rights can be endangered in crises when gender equity is not part of the working culture of emergency practitioners and gender knowledge is not reflected in their practical tool kits.

Planning with a gender lens does not just mean “add women and stir,” but involves a new way of approaching emergency management that sees women and men as full and equal partners in the management of risk. The key is learning to ask the right questions, and then seeking data, information, knowledge and insight from community members to find answers.

At every stage of the disaster cycle, decision makers and practitioners need sound evidence collected with attention to: 1) sex and gender differences through the life course, 2) differences across diverse populations of women, 3) shifts in relevant national patterns and trends, and 4) applications throughout the disaster life course of preparedness, mitigation/adaptation, response and recovery. There are already databases that can provide important information for planning, such as the percentage of women in different age groups known to be at risk (the young, the old) or the percentage of women with functional language or literacy limitations.

In addition to collecting statistics, planners need to know how the everyday lives of women are shaped by gender differences and by inequalities at every stage of the disaster planning cycle. The first step in understanding the role of gender in disasters is to “see” and appreciate what women and girls do and where they are every day. Planners also need to adopt a human rights approach to disaster management because without this commitment they are unlikely to understand or respond to inequalities based on gender power.

Finally, planners need to look beyond vulnerabilities to consider what capacities, resources, and skills women in different life circumstances bring to emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Women’s social networks, skills and resources, and life experiences can all be brought to bear on emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

Six Principles to Take Women & Gender into Account in Relief and Reconstruction:

From the Gender and Disaster Network

THINK BIG. Gender equality and risk reduction principles must guide all aspects of disaster mitigation (including planning and preparation), response and reconstruction. The “window of opportunity” for change and political organization closes very quickly.

GET THE FACTS. Gender analysis is not optional or divisive but imperative to direct aid and plan for full and equitable recovery. Nothing in disaster work is “gender neutral.”

WORK WITH GRASSROOTS WOMEN. Women’s community organizations have insight, information, experience, networks, and resources vital to increasing disaster resilience.

RESIST STEREOTYPES. Base all initiatives on knowledge of difference and specific cultural, economic, political, and sexual contexts, not on false generalities.

TAKE A HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH. Democratic and participatory initiatives serve women and girls best. Women and men alike must be assured of the conditions of life needed to enjoy their fundamental human rights, as well as simply survive. Girls and women in crisis are at increased risk of violence, rape, losing their land, and job loss.

RESPECT AND DEVELOP THE CAPACITIES OF WOMEN. Avoid overburdening women with already heavy work loads and family responsibilities likely to increase.

The publication Not Just Victims: Women in Emergencies and Disasters is based on original material by Dr. Elaine Ernason and published by Women and Health Care Reform.
It is available for download at www.womenandhealthcarereform.ca

Read about Elaine Enarson’s webinar on this topic on page 17, or watch the webinar at www.cwhn.ca