Placing Women and Girls at the Centre, 2015

The IASC Regional Network Ad Hoc Working Group developed this Gender in Humanitarian Action product. In humanitarian response - whether in the context of natural disaster, protracted crisis or conflict - the needs of women, men, girls and boys are different and distinct. Crises exacerbate pre-existing gender based discrimination and inequalities thereby blocking access for women and girls to basic services and rights, economic livelihoods, meaningful representation in planning and decision-making processes, also increasing risks to gender based violence. At the same time women and men are equipped with different knowledge, skills and capacities to deal with crisis which need to be adequately utilized. Ignoring gender considerations in humanitarian action in South and Central Asia will risk exacerbating inequalities, diminish the effectiveness of response and recovery efforts, and undermine communities’ resilience.