Effective law and policy on gender equality and protection from sexual and gender-based violence in disasters

This report aims to help fill a gap in knowledge on the effectiveness of national laws, policies and institutional frameworks in supporting gender equality in disaster risk management (DRM) and in preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in disasters. More specifically, it contributes to the implementation of two resolutions of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2015. These were Resolution 3 on ‘Sexual and gender-based violence: Joint action on prevention and response’, and Resolution 6 on ‘Strengthening legal frameworks for disaster response, risk reduction and first aid’.

Based on global research and three country case studies – in Ecuador, Nepal and Zimbabwe – the report considers national laws and the experiences of disaster-affected communities as to their effectiveness in protecting against SGBV and ensuring gender equality in humanitarian response.

Taking a broader look at DRM laws and gender, based on international comparative research, the report concludes that States should look to include mandates for gendersensitive DRM, SGBV protection, and a minimum representation of 30% women in all DRM system institutions, and to have this outlined in their DRM laws. The report also offers a set of recommendations to governments and the IFRC, national societies and other humanitarian organisations.