ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the role of gender in humanitarian emergencies. It begins by noting that natural events become humanitarian emergencies when human communities become involved. It is therefore essential to understand how the affected human societies are constructed and organized – especially in terms of power dynamics in social, economic and political relations. The human components of the equation are key: humanitarian disasters are social constructs based on how societies are organized, and they have multiple gendered effects. In disaster settings, women are usually seen as victims, and men are usually seen as problem-solvers. Unfortunately, the gender dimensions of disasters have not received much attention at the national level, in particular. A key question for international actors is whether they should shift the humanitarian assistance paradigm from resilience and restoration (including restoration of gender inequalities) to transformation of post-disaster societies. Gender-equal societies are less likely to be damaged in disasters. Making progress on gender equality would therefore reduce the human dimensions of future disasters.
