Natural Disasters and Gender Inequalities: The 2004 Tsunami and the Case of India

Citation:

Hines, Revathi I. “Natural Disasters and Gender Inequalities: The 2004 Tsunami and the Case of India.” Race, Gender & Class 14, no. 1/2 (2007): 60–8.

Author: Revathi I. Hines

Abstract:

This research examines the link between gender and natural disasters. Specifically, it studies the 2004 Tsunami, that occurred in the Indian Ocean, and the inordinate impact it had on females in India. There are two fundamental gender issues that are examined in this paper: (a) The reasons why more women than men were impacted by the 2004 tsunami, and (b) The post-tsunami challenges that were faced by women. Through the research it is observed that following the tsunami, gender concerns were overlooked and social realities were ignored. As a result, women were marginalized in the process. The absence of any concrete gender analysis at the governmental level, indicates the nonchalant attitude toward gender concerns.

Keywords: tsunami, gender, India, natural disasters, disaster challenges, gender challenges

Topics: Environment, Environmental Disasters, Gender, Women, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Humanitarian Assistance Regions: Asia, South Asia Countries: India

Year: 2007