Natural Disasters and Women

elle

In honor of Haiti and in reminder of all those who have died around the world (including the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China that killed 70,000-90,000 people Cyclone Nigris in Myanmar, the South East Asian Tsunami, etc. ) I wanted to write about women and natural disasters. Sure, on the surface it seems like everyone is affected pretty much the same in a flood, earthquake, tsunami, etc., but after the initial mess it becomes obvious that women are more vulnerable in a variety of ways; if Hurricane Katrina showed us anything it was an up close and personal view of the dangers of mass evacuations--from death by dehydration to increased rape and murder rates. And while I am not in any way attempting to minimize the suffering of men in these areas, women and children, particularly those who have lost providers, have some specialized needs. Additionally, as women (and children) are more likely to be in poverty to begin with their problems in addressing the fallout from natural disasters are compounded by their lack of social power.

The immediate risks, as horrific as they are, also seem pretty short term when dealing with a disaster of this magnitude. We have a tendency to respond to the here and now, the 24 hour news cycle, and miss the long term effects. Yes, absolutely survivors need to have medical attention, water, food, and shelter now. However, we have to remember that they will also need all of these things next week/month/year. And this leads us to addressing the long term issues. Haiti will be rebuilding for years, and recovery will take decades. Over the long term women definitely have both different needs and concerns. As with war, natural disasters disrupt the social fabric of life as people are forced to rebuild with what they have. Women who have lost male providers (or simply men who earned more in the household) will be scrambling to support their families. Shattered families will be re-formed and care taking roles reassigned, and new marriages with new families will affect everyone. Women (and men) faced with daunting new tasks will need education, childcare support, and healthcare. For them to truly succeed rebuilding must include infrastructure that takes into account women and children's needs.


The upside, if we can even dare refer to one, is that a devastated society has the chance to rebuild. Perhaps the world can help Haiti put a clinic, a school, or a continuing education facility on every corner. Perhaps, as in Rwanda, women faced with new social roles will begin to demand new social equity. All I know is that this is not a short term operation and this global show of support for Haiti must be sustained.

article on gender risks in Haiti