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

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 Nabi
NOHA Erasmus Fellow
Email id:
nabi.shakeb@gmail.com