Woman are disproportionately affected by disasters

Women are disproportionately affected by disasters compared to men. One study has shown, for example, that women are fourteen times more likely to die in natural disasters, following an examination of disasters in 141 countries. There were multiple specific reasons for this, including that they saved their children first, that they could not leave their home without a man and that the evacuation shelters were perceived as unsuitable. The study found that women with a lower socio-economic status are particularly at risk. As the authors state, there are complex causes for this increased vulnerability. There are “underlying cultural, social and economic patterns that lead to a low socio-economic status of women and thereby generate their specific vulnerability to natural disasters”.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values, Customs/traditions/rituals, Livelihoods, Gender roles, Socio-economic status, Access and use of infrastructure/services

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Consider vulnerable groups when designing and implementing disaster response measures