There are a number of things that happen as part of efforts to address disaster-related events. One such activity is gender mainstreaming. In disaster risk reduction, this means the integration of gender considerations into all aspects of disaster risk management cycle. They include disaster planning, response and recovery.
It entails ensuring that both women and men are equitably involved in the processes of disaster risk reduction. These processes include identifying risks, preparing for disasters and managing the consequences of the risks and disasters.
The key point in gender mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction is the recognition that disasters do not affect all individuals equally; instead, social norms, roles and power dynamics do shape how people experience and respond to disaster risks.
Therefore, gender mainstreaming seeks to ensure that disaster risk reduction should not just focus on how effective it is; rather, it demands that efforts are inclusive and responsive to the needs and capacities of different gender groups.
Disasters tend to amplify pre-existing inequalities and gender, and gender is a critical determinant in how these inequalities manifest during and after a disaster. Women and girls are often excessively affected by disasters. This can be as a result of social, economic and political marginalisation.
For instance, women are more likely to experience gender-based violence following a disaster as a result of disruptions in social structures and lack of protection mechanisms. They may also have limited access to decision-making processes in disaster response, which diminishes their ability to voice their specific needs.
Furthermore, traditional gender roles often assign women primary responsibility for caregiving, household management and collecting water or firewood, making them more vulnerable when these functions are disrupted by disasters.
On the other hand, men may face unique challenges such as increased stress due to societal expectations to provide for the family in crisis situations, which can contribute to mental health issues and risky coping behaviour. Thus, gender shapes both the vulnerabilities individuals face and their capacity to recover from disasters, making gender-sensitive approaches crucial for effective disaster risk reduction.
There are key principles that should be considered when integrating gender into disaster risk reduction. These include inclusive participation, gender-based violence, gender-sensitive policies and strategies, among others.
