Women in Crisis: The Disproportionate Impact of Conflict and Disasters on Women

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are critical components of sustainable recovery and resilience in fragile, conflict, and disaster-affected settings. This article examines the multifaceted impact of crises on women, highlighting the exacerbation of vulnerabilities such as economic marginalization, gender-based violence, and limited access to education and employment. It further explores the concept of women’s empowerment through economic, political, social, and legal dimensions, emphasizing its role in fostering peace, stability, and inclusive development.

Drawing from international frameworks, including the ILO Recommendation No. 205, the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda (UNSCR 1325), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study presents strategies to enhance women’s participation in decision-making, economic resilience, and social protection systems. The article outlines key interventions, such as employment-intensive programs, capacity-building initiatives, and legislative reforms to ensure gender-responsive recovery efforts. Case studies from post-conflict and post-disaster settings illustrate best practices and challenges in implementing gender-sensitive policies and programs.

Despite significant progress, structural barriers—such as cultural resistance, funding constraints, and gender-blind crisis response mechanisms—continue to hinder women’s empowerment in crisis settings. The article concludes with policy recommendations for governments, international organizations, and civil society actors, advocating for gender-inclusive approaches to peacebuilding, economic recovery, and disaster resilience. By integrating a gender lens into crisis response and development policies, the global community can ensure that women are not only protected but actively contribute to sustainable peace and reconstruction efforts.

Keywords: Gender equality, women’s empowerment, fragile settings, conflict resolution, disaster resilience, economic empowerment, social protection, gender-based violence, decent work, peacebuilding, crisis recovery, legal empowerment, SDGs, humanitarian response.

Women in Crisis: The Disproportionate Impact of Conflict and Disasters on Women

Women across the globe bear the brunt of crisis situations, whether caused by armed conflict, natural disasters, or economic instability. Historical and contemporary data affirm that crises exacerbate existing gender inequalities, making women particularly vulnerable to economic displacement, gender-based violence, and social exclusion. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 26.4% of women globally receive some form of social protection, compared to 34% of men, leaving the majority unprotected when a crisis strikes (ILO, 2022). This post explores why women suffer the most in critical situations, drawing on evidence from multiple global studies and policy frameworks.

Key Aspects

On the gender equality and women’s empowerment in fragile, conflict, and disaster settings outlines crucial areas where gender disparities deepen during crises. Among the key aspects covered are:

1. Gender and Social Norms in Crisis

• Traditional gender roles often become more rigid in times of crisis, limiting women's ability to seek employment and security.
• In conflict zones, women are frequently displaced, with the UNHCR (2021) reporting that 80% of displaced persons globally are women and children.

2. Economic Marginalisation of Women in Disasters and Conflicts

• Women are overrepresented in informal economies, which lack social protection, exacerbating economic vulnerability during crises.
• The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa led to a 75% increase in job losses among women due to the shutdown of markets and informal trading (World Bank, 2015).
• In post-earthquake Nepal (2015), women’s employment in agriculture fell by 30%, as many lost access to land and farming resources (FAO, 2017).
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, women lost $800 billion in earnings globally due to economic shutdowns, with many pushed into poverty (Oxfam, 2021).
• The economic impact of crises on women is evident in cases such as Syria, where the number of female-headed households has increased due to conflict. Reports indicate that in 2015, women constituted 65% of agricultural producers in Syria, marking a 6% increase from 2009 (ILO, 2019).

3. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Crisis Situations

• Incidences of GBV rise sharply during conflicts and disasters. According to UN Women (2022), domestic violence cases in conflict-affected regions increased by 40% between 2019 and 2021.
• Sexual exploitation and trafficking also rise in humanitarian emergencies; the UN reported that 1 in 5 displaced women in conflict settings experiences sexual violence.
• Women with disabilities face an increased risk of sexual violence during crises, as protection networks and caregiving support are often disrupted (M1, ILO, 2022).

4. Limited Access to Social Protection and Essential Services

• Women-headed households face discrimination in accessing financial aid and reconstruction programs.
• In Syria, 22% of female-headed households lack access to humanitarian assistance, compared to 14% of male-headed households (OCHA, 2021).
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) highlights that gender inequalities often prevent women from accessing post-disaster recovery benefits (M2, ILO, 2022).
• Women in informal economies lack social protection and face systemic barriers in accessing healthcare, education, and financial support in crisis-affected areas (Module 5, ILO, 2022).

5. Exclusion from Decision-Making Processes

• Women are systematically excluded from crisis recovery planning, leading to policies that fail to meet their specific needs.
• Women comprised only 13% of negotiators in formal peace processes worldwide as of 2022 (UN Women).
• Countries with higher female representation in parliament are 35% more likely to pass inclusive crisis response policies (World Economic Forum, 2021).
• Women's organizations play a crucial role in grassroots recovery but often receive inadequate funding. Studies highlight that women’s networks were instrumental in post-Ebola recovery in West Africa but lacked sufficient institutional support (Module 4, ILO, 2022).

Conclusions: Why Do Women Suffer More in Critical Situations?

1. Economic Dependency and Gender Wage Gaps

Women earn 20% less than men on average, making them more financially vulnerable in crises (ILO, 2022). The collapse of economic structures in conflict zones and post-disaster environments affects women disproportionately as they often lack the financial independence to recover without external assistance.

2. Overrepresentation in Unprotected Sectors

Globally, women make up 58% of workers in the informal economy (ILO, 2021). This means they are more likely to be in low-paying, unstable jobs without contracts, pensions, or social security. As a result, when a crisis disrupts economic activity, women are the first to lose their livelihoods.

3. Increased Care Burdens

Women spend three times more time than men on unpaid care work (UNDP, 2020). When public services collapse, such as schools and healthcare systems, the burden on women increases, reducing their ability to engage in paid work or participate in recovery efforts.

4. Higher Exposure to Gender-Based Violence

In crises, law enforcement systems often weaken, leading to a rise in gender-based violence. Studies show that in disaster-affected regions, incidents of domestic violence increase by up to 50% (World Bank, 2019). Lack of safe housing and overcrowded refugee camps further exacerbate these risks.

5. Social and Political Exclusion

Women are often excluded from leadership roles in humanitarian response and crisis management. Despite making up 50% of the world’s population, they hold only 25% of parliamentary seats globally (World Economic Forum, 2021). This underrepresentation means crisis response policies frequently neglect women's specific needs.

Policy Recommendations and Future Action

To mitigate the disproportionate impact of crises on women, governments, international organisations, and civil society must implement gender-sensitive policies:

1. Strengthen Social Protection
2. Ensure Women’s Economic Resilience
3. Enhance Legal and Security Protections
4. Increase Women’s Participation in Crisis Response and Recovery
5. Invest in Gender-Responsive Infrastructure

Final Thoughts

Women’s suffering in crises is not an inevitable consequence but rather a result of systemic inequalities embedded in economic structures, social norms, and governance frameworks. These inequalities persist due to gendered divisions of labour, discriminatory legal systems, and insufficient representation of women in decision-making processes. However, targeted interventions and inclusive policies can dismantle these barriers, creating a more just and equitable recovery process.

By integrating gender-sensitive frameworks into crisis response strategies, the international community can ensure that women not only survive but also lead the rebuilding efforts in their communities. Historical evidence demonstrates that when women are actively involved in post-crisis recovery, the outcomes are more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. For instance, in Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, women took on leadership roles in rebuilding communities, leading to progressive policies that have made Rwanda one of the most gender-equal nations in the world (UNDP, 2021). Similarly, in post-tsunami Aceh, Indonesia, women-led community organizations played a critical role in shaping recovery programs and ensuring the reconstruction efforts addressed gender-specific needs (World Bank, 2019).

Women’s economic participation is a cornerstone of sustainable recovery. Research from McKinsey (2021) indicates that increasing women’s economic engagement can boost GDP by up to 26% in some countries. Post-crisis economic policies that prioritize female employment, entrepreneurship, and access to financial resources contribute to both individual resilience and national economic stability. Microfinance programs targeting women in conflict-affected regions, such as those implemented by the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, have shown that financial independence empowers women to rebuild their lives and support their families while contributing to the broader economic recovery.

Moreover, gender-responsive social protection systems can significantly reduce women’s vulnerability in crises. The expansion of universal childcare, paid maternity leave, and targeted cash-transfer programs have proven effective in mitigating the socio-economic impact of disasters on women. Countries that have integrated such policies into their crisis response—such as Sweden’s inclusive social safety nets—have demonstrated better overall recovery outcomes (ILO, 2022).

Ensuring gender parity in leadership and decision-making is also crucial. Women’s representation in peace negotiations and disaster recovery committees leads to more comprehensive policies that address the needs of the entire population. Data from UN Women (2022) reveals that peace agreements are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years when women are involved in the negotiation process. In the context of climate disasters, women’s leadership in grassroots environmental initiatives has played a key role in community resilience, as seen in the Philippines, where women-led conservation efforts have significantly improved disaster preparedness and response (Oxfam, 2020).

Only by closing the gender gap can we create a more equitable and resilient global society. Gender-sensitive crisis interventions should not be seen as an optional measure but rather as a fundamental necessity for sustainable development. As we move toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, the inclusion of women in all aspects of crisis response and recovery is essential. Investing in women is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic, social, and political necessity for building a more stable and prosperous world for all.

References

• FAO (2017). Gender and Land Rights in Nepal.
• ILO (2021). Women and Informal Economy: A Global Perspective.
• ILO (2022). World Social Protection Report.
• McKinsey (2021). Women in the Workforce: Global Trends.
• OCHA (2021). Syria Humanitarian Needs Overview.
• Oxfam (2021). The Gendered Impact of COVID-19 on Global Poverty.
• UNDP (2020). The Gender Care Gap: Unpaid Work and Economic Recovery.
• UNHCR (2021). Refugee Displacement Trends and Gender Impact.
• UN Women (2022). Gender-Based Violence in Conflict Zones.
• World Bank (2015). The Impact of Ebola on Women's Livelihoods.
• World Economic Forum (2021). Women and Political Representation in Crisis Management.

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