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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nahid Rezwana, Professor Rachel Pain
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This book investigates the widespread and persistent relationship between disasters and gender-based violence, drawing on new research with victim-survivors to show how the two forms of harm constitute ‘layered disasters’ in particular places, intensifying and reproducing one another. The evidence is now overwhelming that disasters and gender-based violence are closely connected, not just in moments of crisis but in the years that follow as the social, economic and environmental impacts of disasters play out. This book addresses two key gaps in research. First, it examines what causes the relationship between disasters and gender-based violence to be so widespread and so enduring. Second, it highlights victim-survivors’ own accounts of gender-based violence and disasters. It does so by presenting findings from original research on cyclones and flooding in Bangladesh and the UK and a review of global evidence on the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on feminist theories, it conceptualises the coincidence of gender-based violence, disasters and other aggravating factors in particular places as ‘layered disasters’. Long-term, pre-existing forms of harm, already residing in sites of disaster, produce and intensify disasters and vice versa. Taking an intersectional approach that emphasises the connections between culture, place, patriarchy, racism, poverty, settler-colonialism, environmental degradation and climate change, the authors show the significance of gender-based violence in creating vulnerability to future disasters. Forefronting victim-survivors’ experiences and understandings, the book explores the important role of trauma, and how those affected go about the process of survival and recovery. Understanding layered disasters casts light on why tackling gender-based violence must be a key priority in disaster planning, management and recovery. The book concludes by exploring critiques of existing formal responses, which often ignore or underplay gender-based violence. It makes recommendations for disaster planning and management that involve understanding local contexts, taking action to reduce gender-based violence, and responding better to violence during disasters. Due to the complex nature of gender-based violence highlighted by the research presented here, it is clear that lasting change must involve addressing the structural inequalities experienced by women in particular places and globally. The book will be of interest to all those interested in understanding the causes and impacts of disasters, as well as scholars and researchers of gender and gender-based violence.
Author(s): Rezwana N, Pain R
Publication type: Authored Book
Publication status: Published
Edition: 1
Series Title: Routledge Studies in Hazards, Disaster Risk and Climate Change
Year: 2022
Number of Pages: 192
Online publication date: 30/12/2022
Acceptance date: 06/01/2021
Publisher: Routledge
Place Published: London
Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item
ISBN: 9780367545772
