An absolute must: gender-aware responses to natural disasters

Hurricane Katrina, the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, and the 2005 Asia tsunami in have all been stark reminders of the fact that natural disasters – like human-made ones – have a gendered impact. Whether it is because fewer of them can swim or climb trees, or because they delay escape for the sake of their loved ones whom they try to rescue, women bear the initial brunt of natural disasters. Due to their gender they also bear the brunt of the aftermath of disasters. They are more vulnerable after disasters because they are more vulnerable before disasters: gender roles predispose women to catastrophe.[i] Pregnancy, lactation and menstruation heighten the need for specialized interventions.