Taking account of gender in disaster response
“Gender influences our everyday lives and so it is not unexpected that it also affects the way in which disasters are experienced,” says Rosalind Houghton, co-organiser of a recent workshop on gender and disasters. “Yet the impact of gender is often overlooked in disaster research and planning.”
The workshop was run as part of the New Zealand Natural Hazards Management Conference, held in Christchurch in August, and provided an opportunity for those attending to hear about research on the subject and meet others in what is a relatively small field.
“The workshop examined the different ways that gender impacts upon individuals’ planning and responses to natural hazard events, both in New Zealand and overseas,” Rosalind says. “About 30 people attended, which was a good size for discussion.”
Speakers included international experts from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia as well as representatives from New Zealand Police, Civil Defence and non-government organisations.
“For example, Dr Elaine Enarson, of Brandon University in Canada, gave an overview of how gender was a factor affecting our everyday lives so it should also be taken into account in disaster management and planning. Sarah Stuart-Black, of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, spoke on the changing nature of emergency management and the greater involvement of women now,” Rosalind says.
Dr Tanya Caulfield, of World Vision Australia, spoke about the impact of disasters on women in India, such as a change in their roles or the need to relocate. Other speakers, including Rosalind, talked about the incidence of violence during and after natural disasters.
Rosalind is researching reported cases of domestic violence after disasters in New Zealand for a SPEaR-sponsored PhD at Victoria University, after completing an Honours study last year that found an increase in reported domestic violence in Whakatane following major flooding in July 2004.
“The key messages that came from the workshop were that people often do not think about gender issues in relation to disaster management and planning, that it is important that people talk and share information, and that there needs to be more research done. “A lot of emergency management policy claims to be gender neutral but it’s not – it’s actually gender blind, and the two are not the same. For example, women’s feminine hygiene needs are not taken into account,” Rosalind says.
“It’s about incorporating women’s voices but also raising awareness that gender is an important issue to consider in planning and response.”The workshop was partly funded through a SPEaR Linkages Visiting Speaker Award.
For more information, contact rosalindhoughton@hotmail.com
