Our experience of any crisis is largely determined by gendered power relations and unequal social structures. Women, men and sexual minorities are impacted...

Gender, Disaster and Conflict (IRDR0016)

Our experience of any crisis is largely determined by gendered power relations and unequal social structures. Women, men and sexual minorities are impacted differently in conflict and disaster. In general, more men are likely to die in conflict, whereas more women die in disaster. This is due to their gender roles, social expectations and unequal power relations. Women are faced with different forms of violence in conflict and disaster, as they are in their everyday life. Hence, this module aims to advance students’ understanding around differential gendered impacts of conflict and disaster, and gender responsiveness in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), by analysing the structural causes of vulnerabilities and marginalisation.

The module engages with theoretical debates in the three core domains: gender, disaster and conflict, discusses policies (from the global to the local) and practices (where gender inequality, and resistances to it, are manifest) and examines real-life experiences of people living in conflict and disaster vulnerable countries and contexts. All classes are interactive, and students are encouraged to engage in the class discussions and debates, and to share their own experiences and knowledge throughout all sessions.

As a student on this module, you will learn about the following topics through lectures, seminars and discussions: Gender Theories; Masculinities and Femininities; Intersectionality; Continuum of Violence: relationships between Gender, Conflict and Disaster, including Gender-based Violence (GBV); critical perspectives on Vulnerability and Resilience; Gender and DRR; LGBTQI and DRR; Gender and Covid-19; Gender and Climate Change; Gender and Migration; and Gender analysis of DRR Policies and Frameworks. After completion of this module, you will have a better understanding of gender responsive approaches to DRR and humanitarian crises.