Humanitarian Principles → Gender equality in humanitarian action

Gender equality in humanitarian action

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) aims to prevent and alleviate suffering without discrimination. It also recognises the differing risks, needs and capacities of men and women.

Consideration of gender and gender equality is important in humanitarian crises, particularly conflicts because men, women, girls and boys:
-  react differently;
-  have different needs, vulnerabilities, and concerns;
-  face differing and heightened risks and changes to traditional roles e.g. coercion of men into conflict, violence against women and girls (e.g. sexual gender based violence SGBV, forced prostitution), women as sole provider, women and children used to shield combatants from attack.
 

Addressing gender equality in practice 

• Employ a gender balanced team.
• Ensure equal participation of men and women in individual and group consultations and all aspects of humanitarian programming.
• Collect, analyse and report data separated by age and gender.
• Provide protection and assistance based on a reasonable gender analysis and ensure that one group does not benefit at the expense of another.
• Minimise the risks of sexual gender based violence or exploitation, physical violence, sexually transmitted infections or HIV and AIDS, illness/malnutrition particularly among pregnant and lactating women and children, anxiety and trauma e.g. through separation, discrimination, family responsibilities.
• Take measures to address the threat of abuse or exploitation of the affected population by humanitarian staff, partners or other service providers.
• Provide equal access to education, training/skills development, information.
• Make provision for the differing needs of, and threats to, men, women, boys and girls in the design of camps, shelter, water, and sanitation interventions.
• Observe cultural and community practices, and the differing needs and capacities of men, women, girls and boys in the selection of non-food items e.g. clothing, personal hygiene items.
   

Gender Analysis in humanitarian crises

Analysis enables you to understand how men. women, girls and boys have been affected by a humanitarian crisis, what they need, and what they can provide for themselves.

• Put women, men, boys and girls at the centre of assessments.
• Research the difference in experiences, opinions, and participation of both women and men.
• Understand the cultural context e.g. power relations, gender roles and forms of association, workload.
• Consult individually and collectively with all affected groups, rather than limited key informants.
• Token activities are not an effective way to achieve equal assistance.