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Peacebuilding and reconstruction

Gender equality in disasters: six principles for engendered relief and reconstruction

Six strategies for engendering relief and reconstruction projects

Authors: ; Gender and Disaster Network
Publisher: Southern African Regional Poverty Network , 2005

Full text of document

This paper offers six recommendations for engendering relief and reconstruction programmes. These strategies include:

  • think big: gender equality and risk reduction principles must guide all aspects of disaster mitigation, response and reconstruction. The "window of opportunity" for change and political organisation 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. Work with and develop the capacities of existing women's groups
  • 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
  • respect and development the capacities of women. Avoid overburdening women with already heavy work loads and family responsibilities likely to increase.

Each strategy is followed by specific implementation suggestions.

The authors conclude by stressing that gender analysis helps to clarify the specific and often different capacities, vulnerabilities, needs and coping-strategies of men and women. Specific efforts can be made to empower women by ensuring their active role in decision-making and implementation process and identifying their main constraints and possibilities for change. Participation – participatory processes should specifically critique the opportunities that exist for consultation of women and men separately and for negotiation. Established patterns of gender inequality and inequity can be explored exposed and addressed.