Post Disaster: Domestic Gender Based Violence

Perspective from Gujarat Earthquake (2001), Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004) and Cyclone Aila (2009)

For Gender and Disaster Webinar: 10th October 2012 organized by EPI Global and GDRA

Basic Premise of the Presentation

Vulnerability to Natural Disasters and its consequences is Engendered and

a Social Construct

Focus of the Presentation

• What is the reason for increase in gender based violence after the disaster

• How is it manifested/what are the consequences

• Who are the perpetrators of the violence• How Gander Based Violence can be controlled• What are the policy gaps for addressing GBV

Reasons for increase in Gender Based Violence

• Trauma leading to alcoholism, drug abuse and violence

• Dispersion of families and women headed household: women exposed

• “Tyranny of the urgent”: Narrow view of response; collective shelter; wash facilities

• Breakdown of social capital and support systems

Reasons for increase in GBV II

• Usage for existing social structure for relief distribution (male dominated): marginalization in access to relief

Manifestation of the Gender Based Violence

• Low self esteem/self confidence• Deterioration of mental health: Trauma: PTSD• Relocation of the female members of the

family: enhance vulnerability• Early child marriage/early pregnancy• Increase in human trafficking/forced

prostitution

Reducing Gender Based Violence

• Good understanding of the social structure and position of women in the society: Mapping existing forms of gender based violence

• Involve women in different phases of disaster preparedness and response

• Representation of the women in the response team: shelter; wash; relief distribution

Policy Gaps in addressing GBV

• Bringing gendered perspective to understanding natural disasters

• HFA and other international and local policy instruments

• Incorporation of gender specific indicators in SITREP/need assessment tools

Look at women not as a victim of disaster but as an epitome or

strong force of resistance

Build Back better “Use Natural Disaster as a Platform for Societal

Change”

Thank you for your time

Shakeb NabiNOHA Erasmus Fellow

Email id: nabi.shakeb@gmail.com