ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the differential impact of the tsunami on the death rates of women, men and the Aravanis. It explores gender issues that emerged in the context of the tsunami relief and rehabilitation processes and analyse the responses of social institutions to the challenges posed by loss of lives and livelihood. The chapter also shows how institutions and policies either reinforce or challenge social inequalities and how pre-existing gender roles and relations have influenced the impact of the tsunami. When the tsunami hit, many men were out fishing at sea, while the women were waiting near the shorelines for the boats to come in with the catch. During the tsunami, many women lost their lives because they tried to rescue the children, the elderly and the sick. The dead bodies of many women were reportedly found intertwined with those of small children and the aged. The tsunami, reverse sterilisation surfaced as a major health and social issue for women.