How Men Can Promote Gender-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

Jul 13, 2017 | Alex Rohlwing
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Gender’s importance and the vital roles played by women in all facets of development, humanitarian aid, and disaster response are increasingly recognized. But recognition is not implementation. As we see in places like Haiti, Nepal, and even the United States, women are affected differently in disasters—and often suffer the brunt of both immediate effects, and recovery challenges. Women on the ground face challenges such as different nutritional needs, lack of representation, sexual violence, exploitation, and loss of incomes. Many programs and policies now promote mechanisms for reducing these risks and mainstreaming gender-sensitive programming, but most do not include mechanisms to ensure women are incorporated into the highest levels of planning, coordination, and policy development at both a national and international level.

So how can guys help? As a man, I have found that it can be tricky to find my place in supporting gender-inclusiveness, and I doubt I am alone. Some of the struggle comes from not wanting to be seen as patronizing. But I want to help. Recently, I attended an event—From Commitment to Action: Reflections on the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction organized by the American Red Cross—that prompted me to think in greater detail about how to do that.