ABSTRACT
When disaster strikes, the impact of its deleterious effect and its aftermath differs based on various vulnerability factors that cut across gender, class, race, culture, age, geography, and power dynamics. Empirically, women and girls in Africa are disproportionately affected by disasters. Gender dynamics comes to factor in the human experience of disasters and can lead to the denial of fundamental human rights of women and girls in crises. The existing gender inequalities, such as educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and political limitations, are exacerbated as women survivors face harsh and sometimes violent conditions in the aftermath of a disaster. Gender stereotypes affect disaster services and emergency operations delivery. This chapter reviews literature on gender and disaster and posits that to achieve a more sustainable response to disasters and crises, it is essential that Africa and the world reorient their understanding of gender vulnerability in the face of a disaster and how gender can be central in disaster response. We advocate for more gender-inclusive approaches to planning, mitigating, response, and recovery and prioritize the unique contributions of women during times of disasters and crises.
