ReliefWeb

Overview

Humanitarian crises can affect women, men, girls and boys in radically different ways; changing social and cultural structures, and redefining women’s and men’s statuses – in both positive and negative ways. If humanitarian interventions are not planned with gender dynamics in mind, the needs of those most under threat may not be adequately met, and an opportunity to support positive change will be lost. That is why gender equality is central to humanitarian action. To address the different impacts of conflict and disasters on men, women, boys and girls and promote the potential for positive transformation of gender norms, humanitarian agencies must analyse, plan, and respond to crises in ways that address practical gender needs and promote women’s rights. Indeed all actors involved in emergencies – including donors, humanitarian agencies, governments, and civil society organisations – must promote gender equality as part of any response.

Five ways they can achieve this are by:

1.Mainstreaming gender equality: basing interventions on gendered analysis of the causes and impacts of crises, the practical needs of women and men, girls and boys, and designing programmes to meet those different needs;

2.Looking for opportunities to support women and men in ways that contribute to the transformation of gendered power relations: laying the groundwork for gender equality and greater resilience to crises, by actively supporting women’s leadership and by challenging attitudes and beliefs that undermine women’s rights (including by engaging with men and boys);

3.Preventing and responding to gender-based violence/ violence against women and girls;

4.Coordinating effectively within the humanitarian system at international, regional and national levels to ensure gender-sensitive responses are universally shared; and

5.Promoting the full participation and leadership of women and girls, men and boys, in all aspects of programming – from planning to evaluation – and investing in the capacity of local organisations with expertise on gender (particularly women's rights organisations).

In conflict-related crises, there are additional imperatives. The promotion of gender equality must be central to the broader efforts to protect civilians and manage and prevent conflict and armed violence. All actors involved in the prevention and management of conflict and its impacts – including donors, governments, UN agencies, civil society, armed forces, and peacekeepers – must:

6.Uphold and strengthen laws, policies and international agreements to advance and protect women’s rights in situations of conflict and armed violence, including protectionfrom gender-based violence; and

7.Promote women’s full and equal participation and leadership in efforts to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict and build peaceful societies.