Gendered Impacts of Disasters and Inclusive Governance Strategies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Natural disasters have become more frequent and intense, with over 7,300 recorded globally between 2000 and 2019 nearly double the number in the previous two decades. While these crises affect entire populations, their consequences are far from equal. In Sri Lanka, women and girls experience disproportionate harm due to entrenched gender inequalities, caregiving responsibilities, and exclusion from disaster decision-making. This study examines the specific impacts of disasters on Sri Lankan women, using qualitative content analysis and thematic synthesis of secondary data. Findings highlight physical, psychological, and socio-economic vulnerabilities, reinforced by global evidence. For example, women are more likely than men to develop post-traumatic stress disorders and depression. After the 1998 Nairobi bombing, nearly 50 percent of women developed post-traumatic stress disorder compared to one-third of men. Similar gender disparities were reported following the 2001 World Trade Center attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing. During Hurricane Katrina, pregnant women faced health risks, including high blood pressure and stress-related complications affecting unborn children. Sri Lanka’s 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami offers a stark example: an estimated 70 percent of fatalities were women. In Galle, 65 percent of the missing and deceased were female. In Dutch Bar, Batticaloa, over 90 percent of the community was lost many of them women caught unaware while cooking, bathing, or caring for children. Cultural dress codes and traditional roles further limited their ability to escape. Post-disaster conditions often expose women to increased sexual violence, including abuse by rescuers and partners. However, the lack of sex-disaggregated data makes it difficult to develop effective, gender-responsive policies. Only 42 percent of women globally are aware of disaster risks; many in Sri Lanka lack access to early warnings and emergency supplies. Women in informal sectors and agriculture face livelihood losses up to 60 percent, compared to 40 percent for men. Unpaid care work rises by 30 to 50 percent during crises, limiting recovery. Despite these challenges, women remain underrepresented in disaster governance. Only 5.3 percent of Sri Lankan parliamentary seats are held by women, and their participation in disaster management is minimal. Yet committees with women are 35 percent more likely to implement gender-sensitive strategies. This study urges the inclusion of women as key contributors in disaster preparedness and recovery, recognizing their resilience, knowledge, and leadership as essential to building a more equitable and disaster-resilient Sri Lanka.