The presentation discusses how natural disasters can lead to an increase in gender-based violence (GBV), focusing on cases from Gujarat, the Indian Ocean tsunami, and Cyclone Aila. It outlines the reasons for the rise in GBV, including trauma, family dispersion, and societal breakdown, as well as manifestations such as low self-esteem and early child marriage. The presentation advocates for involving women in disaster response and addressing policy gaps to better manage GBV and utilize disasters as opportunities for social change.

1. 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

2. Basic Premise of the
Presentation
Vulnerability to Natural Disasters and
its consequences is Engendered and
a Social Construct

3. 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

4. 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

5. Reasons for increase in GBV II
• Usage for existing social structure for relief
distribution (male dominated):
marginalization in access to relief

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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”

10. Thank you
for your time
Shakeb Nabi
NOHA Erasmus Fellow
Email id:
nabi.shakeb@gmail.com