Gender and health in disasters
In disaster situations, women and men, boys and girls are affected differently. Available data suggest that there is a pattern of gender differentiation at all levels of the disaster process: exposure to risk, risk perception, preparedness, response, physical impact, psychological impact, recovery and reconstruction.
Due to social norms and their interaction with biological factors, women and children-particularly girls- may face increased risk to adverse health effects and violence. They may be unable to access assistance safely and/or to make their needs known. Additionally, women are insufficiently included in community consultation and decision-making processes, resulting in their needs not being met.
WHO is committed to ensuring that gender considerations are adequately addressed in all of its relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities.
WHO resources
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Gender considerations in disaster assessment
pdf, 110kb
WHO, Department of Gender, Women and Health (GWH), 2005 -
Gender and health in natural disasters
pdf, 170kb
WHO, GWH, 2005 -
Gender and health in disasters
WHO, GWH, 2002 -
Fact sheet: gender and natural disasters
AMRO/PAHO, Programme on Women, Health and Development, 2001 -
South Asia earthquake and tsunamis
Information about the crisis and WHO's response, strategy and appeals -
Fact sheet: violence and disasters
pdf, 614kb
WHO, Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention
Other resources
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Integrating gender into emergency responses
Development and Gender in Brief, 1996 -
The Sphere project
Humanitarian charter and minimum standards in disaster response