Protecting women’s rights in emergencies

Women and girls suffer a double injustice in emergencies and humanitarian crises. 

Why we work on women’s rights in emergencies

Firstly, because disasters and armed conflict create the conditions in which existing gender inequalities are compounded. Women and girls are more vulnerable to the effects of emergencies, less able to access life-saving services and less likely to be part of decision-making that affects their lives. 

Secondly, because the current humanitarian system is male-dominated, it discriminates against women playing leadership roles. This is the case even though they are often the first responders at times of crisis. Women are in the frontline of humanitarian responses, taking risks, providing essential reconstructive and community rehabilitation work – all too often completely unpaid.

What’s our position on women’s rights in emergencies?

ActionAid considers humanitarian crises as part of the cycle of rights denial and poverty, whereby conflict and disaster impact those who are most vulnerable and deepen existing inequalities in access to decision-making and resources.

Advancing women’s rights in emergencies, and specifically promoting women’s leadership in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, is part of critical strategy for shifting power to women. As an urgent matter both of principle and effectiveness, humanitarian efforts must recognise the rights, roles and agency of women and girls.