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Gender, Disability and Disasters

Dr Maria Kett

Leonard Cheshire Research Centre

University College London

m.kett@ucl.ac.uk

DMCC

2nd

June 2018

Presentation Outline

1. Definitions

• What are they?

• Why do they matter?

• Intersectionality

• Vulnerabilities and resilience

2. The international environment

• Domestic and international policy context

3. Human Rights

- UN Conventions

4. Impact of humanitarian disasters

5. Steps to inclusion

6. Recommendations

First...some light reading....

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https://www.independent.co.ug/disabled-are-the-hidden-victims-of-south-sudans-long-war/

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‘Defining’ gender?

– Differences between sex/gender:

• Cultural • Contextual • Relational (power)

→ a continuum

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Convention defines discrimination as:

"...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.“ (CEDAW, 1979)

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What is disability?

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UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)

The Preamble to the CRPD acknowledges that disability is “an evolving concept”… but also

stresses that

“disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and

environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal

basis with others”.

It goes onto note that:

“Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or

sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and

effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

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What about vulnerability?

• Vulnerability can be compounded

by range of factors, including pre-

existing or new disabilities…

But also need to consider:

• Resilience

• Intersectionality

• RIGHTS

Why do definitions matter?

– Fundamentally about power – how people are labelled becomes how they are ‘defined’; these definitions – and social norms - are socio-cultural constructions – stereotypes - who is ‘old’, who is ‘disabled’; what gendered expectations and norms exist?

– Often fundamentally linked to issues of power, legitimacy and agency

– Contrasting understandings of these labels determine who sets the agenda and priorities (e.g. for public services heath, education, social) - therefore aim is to shift balance of power – transformative agenda

– Different views, policies and experiences - and different models of understanding - can and do co-exist – this can lead to challenges, misunderstandings and misinterpretations

– Exclusion often linked to poverty

– Therefore fundamentally a human rights issue

– Awareness and advocacy has increased with civil rights movements – from UK, USA and elsewhere

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04/06/2018 What else could be added? 10

Barriers to inclusion…

Addressing inclusion is as much about attitudinal change as it is technical knowledge:

– Changing mind-sets of policy-makers, service providers, communities, families,

friends and neighbours

– Dismantling deeply entrenched physical, attitudinal and institutional barriers to

effective social inclusion

– Increasing levels of social capital and relational bonds for marginalised and

excluded individual/groups

– Ensuring adequate resources – including governance infrastructure for

effective implementation of services

– Supporting rule of law and effective implementation of human rights principles

– Improving knowledge about what works – including improved data

So how does this translate into emergency situations?

Key Issues to address

– The world has seen a significant increase in both the severity and frequency of disasters,

and the link between climate change and extreme events is increasingly being recognised

(IPCC, 2012).

– These are compounded by ongoing social, economic and political challenges, resulting in

humanitarian crises

– Persons with disabilities constitutes 15% of the world’s population (WHO/WB 2011) – and

demographic shift

– This population is at disproportionate risk to be impacted by the negative aspects of

disaster (Twigg and Kett, 2007; Fujii 2012)

– Need for an inclusive integrated approach to climate change adaptation, humanitarian

response and international development work.

UNCRPD

Article 11 - Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies:

“States parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.”

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DFID Review 2011

“The humanitarian system is poorly equipped to ensure an equitable

response for the most vulnerable. Whilst issues specific to children, age,

old people, women and those with disability are widely written about,

there are few mechanisms to deal with them.”

(DFID Humanitarian Emergency Response Review 2011)

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Disability Inclusion…

“Disability is the result of the interaction between an impairment limiting or altering a person’s capacities and that person’s environment”

(Preamble, UNCRP)

In Emergencies there are structural changes that can affect this :

Physical environment Social support network Poverty Knowledge Political

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Disability & Humanitarian Emergencies

– An estimated 6.7 million persons with disabilities are forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations (WRC 2014)

– Armed conflict will be 8th most common cause of disability worldwide by 2020 (WHO)

– Around 10% of an affected population will develop serious psychological trauma (UN)

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Impact of disability on a household

– Increased risk of poverty and social exclusion

– Lack of access to food/jobs/healthcare/other essential services

– Lack of security (physical and psychological)

– Increased risk of displacement/separation

– Exclusion/discrimination

– Effects on children and families

→ Compounded by disasters and conflict

Impact of conflicts or disasters on persons with disabilities…

– Poor environments and poor people are

disproportionately affected by disasters and

emergencies

– Persons with disabilities are very often the least

visible in emergencies, and sustain disproportionately

higher rates of morbidity and mortality

– Persons with disabilities often unable to access

emergency aid

– Increased vulnerability (to violence and abuse; loss of

support structures; issues of accessibility and

exclusion etc.)

– Increased susceptibility (to secondary disabilities

through conditions, including lack of medical care,

loss of infrastructure, lack of rehab facilities etc.)

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Gendered Effects of Conflict and disasters…

1. Demographic shifts – from loss of life, migration/displacement

2. Poverty

3. Violence – domestic and national

4. Unequal distribution of resources, e.g. property distribution

5. Reduced access to education

6. Loss of support networks/carer’s

7. Lack of employment

8. Reduced access to healthcare

9. Long term effects – may be intra-generational

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Barriers to inclusion (I)

Disabled adults and children continue to be among the most marginalised and excluded within communities and within programmes.

Barriers include:

– Social

– Cultural

– Physical

– Attitudinal

– Environmental

– POVERTY

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Barriers to Inclusion (II)

– Lack of awareness of needs

– Organisations and agencies

– Loss of institutional memory

– Lack of referral/communication between

ALL levels

– Lack of legislation and lobbying

– Lack of data

– Cost?

Development of protective factors - resilience

– Intergenerational poverty – role of education

– Inclusion of all members of community in

preparedness

– Identifying points of vulnerability – and

capacity

– Acknowledging strengths and weaknesses

– Support local solutions

– Build on opportunities

– Peace-building capacity

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Definition of protection

“… all activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in

accordance with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law, i.e. human

rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law. Human rights and

humanitarian organizations must conduct these activities in an impartial manner

(not on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, language or gender).”

(ICRC 2001)

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Social protection mechanisms

• Legislative and regulatory frameworks: address discrimination and establish

minimum standards. Role of international community?

• Social assistance: non-contributory cash and in-kind transfers to the poor

(i.e. pensions, fee waivers, disability allowance)

• Social insurance: individual or household contributions that spread risk from

economic or other shock or negative change in circumstance through

financial support (i.e. health insurance)

The Sustainable Development Goals

– The SDGs provide the institutional framework for all

overseas development assistance for the next 15 years

(replacing the Millennium Development Goals, which

made no explicit reference to disability whatsoever)

– Highly influenced by the “leave no one behind” agenda

adopted by the UN High-Level Panel of Experts on

Sustainable Development, co-chaired by David Cameron.

– The are 17 goals and 169 targets, and for each of the

indicators will have to be developed.

– Of these, five goals and seven targets specifically mention

disability;

– And it is alluded to three goals and six targets

Some common themes across inclusive DRR or humanitarian practice:

– A twin-track approach (DFID, 2004; HI, 2009; CBM, 2013).

– Participation, engagement, representation and empowerment of people with disabilities in all stages of preparedness and response (GPDD and World Bank, 2009; CBM, 2013; BMZ, 2013, DiDRR Network, 2014; MCCR, 2015, Alexander et al., 2012; Kelman and Stough, eds, 2015).

– Accessibility - embedded across the physical environment, in communications, and in reconstruction to remove barriers that restrict mobility and communication and that actors recognise reconstruction is an opportunity to ‘build back better’ in line with principles of universal design (Handicap International, 2009; CBM, 2013; UNESCAP, 2014; Lord et al, 2016)

– Technology - such as GIS has the potential to play a greater role in helping to prepare and protect people with disabilities during disasters (Alexander et al., 2012)

– Non-discrimination and addressing stigma is integral. (CBM, 2013; MCCR, 2015).

– Capacity building and Effective advocacy on disability rights, and of people with disabilities and their respective organisations (Lord et al., 2016, DiDRR Network, 2014; Lord et al., 2016).

– Coordination and collaboration is required between the diverse range of actors in disaster and humanitarian response, the government, and people with disabilities and their representative organisations (CBM, 2013; MCCR 2015; Lord et al., 2016).

To increase the understanding of thelinks between disability and climateresilience.

To support the delivery of policy andprogramme work that builds theresilience of people with disabilities toclimate shocks and stresses.

1 January 2017 - 31 December 2017

Project Timeline

Project Overview

This project sets out to identify evidence-basedrecommendations for good practice in the areaof disability-inclusive resilience to climatechange.

It will also explore the ways in whichinterventions can build the resilience of peoplewith disabilities to climatic shocks and stresses.

The project will focus on two countries, Kenyaand Bangladesh both of which have alreadycommitted to increasing climate-relatedresilience and have track records on disabilityinclusion.

Supporting Partners

For more information, Contact Dr. Maria KettEmail address: m.kett@ucl.ac.uk

Managed by Funded by

Disability and Climate Resilience Research Project

The methodology of the research willcombine quantitative and qualitativeapproaches.

The research will be undertaken in threephases. These are:

o Literature reviewo Internet-based surveyo Semi-Structured Interviews, Focus

Group Discussions and Case Studies inKenya and Bangladesh

Identify intersectional inequalities anddraw out specific drivers of vulnerabilityand resilience.

Analysis on issues of empowerment,particularly around decision making,choices and responsibilities.

Explore how these link with resilienceand intersecting inequalities, asidentified in the respective countries.

Overall Purpose

Methodological Framework

Research Outcome

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So, a gradual shift to inclusion?

– CRPD (and other national legislation)

– Disability as a cross-cutting issue in Sphere Standards (and INEE companion standards

– ADCAP standards

– DFID Disability Framework

– SDGs

– Disability standards and guidelines across other agencies (including Red Cross Movement; NGO-specific and/or context specific Guidelines/Toolkits

– Integrated assessments

– Advocacy and awareness raising

– Training

– Increased research around disability inclusion in disasters and humanitarian emergencies

Minimum Standards for Age and Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Action

– ADCAP (Age and Disability Capacity Building Programme), on behalf of the Age and Disability Consortium, a group of seven agencies working to promote age and disability inclusive humanitarian assistance: CBM, DisasterReady.org, Handicap International, HelpAge International, IFRC, Oxford Brookes University and RedR UK.

– The Minimum Standards for Age and Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Action are intended to inform humanitarian organisations about the actions needed to ensure their responses are as inclusive as possible.

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Ongoing Challenges.

– Definitions

– Little internationally comparable data

– Lack of coordination

– Costs?

→ post crisis potential for inequalities to grow

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…And some opportunities?

– Timing of interventions

– Increased visibility (including CRPD)

– Funding – Costs?

– ‘Build back better’

Some final thoughts for discussion…

• How can we focus policy and prevention

messages on multiple and diverse experiences

(e.g. of people with disabilities)?

• Can we integrate marginalised and excluded

groups into existing policies, programmes and

monitoring mechanisms (including human rights

frameworks, SDG monitoring etc)

• How can policy and prevention methods work

across sectors and domains?

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Questions?

Thank You!

Selected references – Alexander D (2011) Disability and disaster; Wisner B (ed.) Chapter in Handbook of Hazards, Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage ment, London, Routledge (in press).

– Bartlett S (2008) Climate change and urban children: Impacts and implications for adaptation in low - and middle-income countries, Environment and Urbanization, 20 (2): 501-519.

– Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I, Wisner B (1994) At Risk: Natural Hazards, People’s Vulnerability and Disasters . Routledge, London. 471p.

– Bricout JC, Baker PMA (2010) Leveraging online social networks for people with disabilities in emergency communications and recovery. Int J Emergency Management; 7(1): 59-74.

– Centre for Services and Information on Disability CSID (2002) Unveiling Darkness: The Situation Analysis on Disaster and Disability Issues In the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh, Khathamuddran, Dhaka. http://www.csid-bd.org/research/research01.pdf Accessed 2011-08-04

– Chou Y-J, Huang N, Cheng-Hua L, Shu-Ling T Long-Shen C, Hong-Jen C (2004) Who Is at Risk of Death in an Earthquake? Am. J. Epidemiol. 160:688-695

– Clive A, Davis EA, Hansen R, Mincin J (2010) Disability; Chapter in Philips BD, Thomas DSK, Fothergill A, Blinn-Pyke L (eds.) Social Vulnerability to Disasters. New York, Taylor and Francis Group: 75-99.

– Davis E, Mincin J (2005) Incorporating Special Needs Populations into Emergency Planning and Exercises http://www.nobodyleftbehind2.org/findings/pdfs/JMFinal072105.pdf Accessed 2011-07-12

L Lang R (2009) The United Nations Convention on the right and dignities for persons with disability: A panacea for ending disa bility discrimination?, Asia Pacific Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 17, No 1, p.3-11.

– Kett M and Twigg J (2007) Disability and Disasters: Towards an Inclusive Approach; Chapter for World Disasters Report: Focus on Discrimination . Satigny/ Vernier, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

– Kett M, Stubbs S, Yeo R, Deshpande S, Cordeiro V (2005) Disability in Conflict and Emergency Situations: Focus on Tsunami-affected Areas. IDDC Research Report. http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/IDCC_2005_Disability_conflict.pdf Accessed 2011-07-16

– IDRM (International Disability Right Monitor) (2005) Disability and Early Tsunami Relief Efforts in India, Indonesia and Thailand . http://www.ideanet.org/cir/uploads/File/TsunamiReport.pdf Accessed 2010-02-18

– Handicap International (HI) (2005) How to include Disability Issues in Disaster Management Following Floods 2004 in Bangladesh . Bangladesh, Handicap International Bangladesh. http://www.handicap-international.org.uk/Resources/Handicap%20International/PDF%20Documents/HI%20Associations/Disabi lityDisasterManagement_2005.pdf Accessed 2010-11-14

– Handicap International (HI) (2009) Mainstreaming Disability into Disaster Risk Reduction: A training Manual . Kathmandu, Handicap International Nepal. http://www.handicap-international.fr/fileadmin/documents/publications/DisasterRiskReduc.pdf Accessed 2010-11-14

Cont….

– Murray JS (2011) Disaster preparedness for children with special healthcare needs and disabilities. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 16:226-232.

– National Council on Disability. (2005). Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning . Washington. http://enla.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/saving-lives.pdf Accessed 2010-08-20

– Osaki Y and Minowa M (2001) Factors Associated with Earthquake Deaths in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, 1995, Am. J. Epidemiol. 153:153-156

– Peek L and Stough L (2010) Children with Disabilities in the Context of Disaster: A Social Vulnerability Perspective. Child Development; 81(4):1260-1270.

– Plan International (2010) Child-Centered DRR Toolkit. London, Plan International.

– Rooney C and White GW (2007) Consumer Perspective: Narrative Analysis of a Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Surve y from Persons with Mobility Impairments, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 17: 206-215

– Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) (2005) Training Manual for Inclusion of Disability in Disaster Response. Bhubaneswar, Orissa. http://www.preventionweb.net/files/9707_trainingmanual.pdf Accessed 2011-11-15

– Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) (2009) Mainstraiming Disability in Disaster Management – A Tool Kit- http://data.undp.org.in/dmweb/pub/DisabilityToolkit.pdf Accessed

– Simpson J (2009) Everyone Belongs A Toolkit for Applying Intersectionality. Ottawa, CRIAW -ICREF. http://criaw-icref.ca/sites/criaw/files/Everyone_Belongs_e.pdf Accessed 2011-08-01

– Sobsey D (1994) Violence and Abuse in the Lives of People with Disabilities: The End of Silent Acceptance. Baltimore, Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co, Inc.

– Sullivan HT , Häkkinen MT (2011) Preparedness and Warning Systems for Populations with Special Needs: Ensuring Everyone Gets the Message (and Knows What To Do) (2011) Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 29 (3), pp. 225-236.

– Tataryn, M. (2011). AIDS, Power and Politics: Examining their dimensions within the disability movement globally. Keynote address, ‘ Disability and the Majority World: Towards a Global Disability Studies’ First International Conference. Manchester Metropolitan University, Gaskell Campus, Hathersage Road, Manchester, 7th – 8th July, 2011. http://vimeo.com/26584134

– Twigg J (2004), Disaster risk reduction: Mitigation and preparedness in development and emergency programming, London, Overseas Dev elopment institute. 365p.

– Twigg J (2009) Characteristics of a Disaster-Resilient Community, a Guidance Note http://www.abuhrc.org/Publications/CDRC%20v2%20fina l.pdf Accessed 2011-07-12

Cont… – UN (2006) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/disabilities -convention.htm Accessed 2010-10-22

– UN Enable (2006) Disability Fact Sheet http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/facts.shtml Accessed 2011-05-15

– UNISDR (2007) Hyogo Framework for Action http://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/hfa Accessed 2011-06-18

– UN/ISDR (2009) Making Disaster Risk Reduction Gender-Sensitive: Policy and Practical Guidelines

http://www.unisdr.org/files/9922_MakingDisasterRiskReductionGenderSe.pdf Accessed 2011-08-03

– Venton P and Collymore J (2009), Introduction to Technical Paper: Integrating practices, tools and systems for climate risk assessment and

management and disaster risk reduction strategies into national policies and programmes

http://unfccc.int/files/adaptation/application/pdf/nwp_app_cuba2009_venton_and_collymore.pdf Accessed 2010-11-08

– World Health Organisation (WHO) (2001) International Classification of Functioinning, Disability and Health (ICF)

http://www.who.int/classifications/icf/en/ Accessed 2011-07-27

– Wisner B (2002) Disability and Disaster: Victimhood and Agency in Earthquake Risk Reduction, Chapter for Rodrigue C and Rovai E (eds.)

Earthquakes, London, Routledge: 1-28.

– Wisner B, Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I (2004a) At Risk: Second Edition: Natural Hazards, People’s Vulnerability and Disasters , London,

Routledge. 471p.

– World Bank/ GPDD (2009) The impact of Climate Change on People with Disabilities http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lc-

ccr/centrepublications/staffpublications/Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_Disability-Report-2010.pdf Accessed 2011-07-15