WHITE PAPER ABSTRACT: Reaching Out to Women When
Disaster Strikes

Soroptimist International of the Americas, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, examines in this white paper the issue of how women are impacted when disaster strikes. Natural disasters are a tragedy in their own right, but because women occupy a more tenuous position in society prior to disaster, they are the worst hit. When disaster strikes, women lack mobility and access to resources, have increased family responsibilities, and are susceptible to physical danger. Despite the vulnerable position of women prior to and following a disaster, their special needs are often ignored, as are their unique abilities to respond. International and national organizations point to the need for better research concerning the impact of disasters on women, as well as disaster relief programs and policies that better incorporate gender-specific needs.

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