How do national and international legal frameworks address gender-based violence (GBV) in disaster settings? It highlights that while violence against women should be prevented and addressed according to numerous international instruments, the aftermath of disasters often increases women’s vulnerability to GBV. Recommendations include greater participation by women in management and increased gender awareness in disaster-relief programming.
This paper gives an overview of the international normative framework for GBV and discusses evidence of women’s increased vulnerability following a disaster. The example of the 2010 Haiti earthquake illustrates an example of women’s vulnerability to GBV in the aftermath of a disaster.
Key findings:
- States have the obligation to respect and ensure the rights set out in international conventions that reference GBV, but also to undertake due diligence in order to prevent the violation of rights by non-state actors.
- While risk factors are often pre-existing, the disaster itself, its aftermath, and relief operations can exacerbate GBV occurrence (Haiti, Sri Lanka, and USA).
- There are a range of factors which can explain this increased prevalence including: breakdown of social structures and infrastructures, psychological distress and trauma, and poor conditions which reduce privacy and safety in IDP camps.
- There is a need for further research on existing national legal frameworks addressing GBV (quality of humanitarian assistance, accountability, etc.)
- There is need for more data collection on GBV generally to further validate evidence of increased GBV following a disaster, but provision of services should not be reliant on this.
- A comprehensive legal framework for gender-sensitive disaster management needs all stakeholders to be trained and educated
Recommendations
- A multi-sectorial intervention should include :
- further research on GBV in disaster settings
- women’s participation in disaster management and consideration of women’s needs in humanitarian assistance programs
- accountability of violence perpetrators, and public awareness on the issue.
- A comprehensive legal framework should include:
- provisions for women’s participation in all phases of disaster management
- minimum standards of humanitarian assistance in order to address women’s increased vulnerability to GBV after a disaster
- provisions for women’s security, and accountability mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators.
