Gender, Disability and Disasters

Dr Maria Kett Leonard Cheshire Research Centre University College London [email protected]

DMCC

2nd June 2018

Slide 1 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....

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

Slide 3 ‘Defining’ gender?

– Differences between sex/gender:

• Cultural • Contextual • Relational (power)

→ a continuum

Slide 4 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)

Slide 5 What is disability?

Slide 6 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.”

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

Slide 8 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

Slide 9 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.”

Slide 15 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)

Slide 16 Slide 16 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

Slide 17 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)

Slide 18 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

Slide 19 Slide 19 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.)

Slide 20 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

Slide 21 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

Slide 22 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?

Slide 23 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

Slide 24

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)

Slide 25 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)

Slide 26 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

Disability and Climate Resilience Research Project Overall Purpose To increase the understanding of the links between disability and climate resilience.

To support the delivery of policy and programme work that builds the resilience of people with disabilities to Some common themes acrossclimate s hinclusiveocks and st rDRResses. or humanitarian practice: Project Timeline Project Overview 1 January 2017 - 31 December 2017 – A twin-track approach (DFID, 2004; HI, 2009; CBM, 2013). This project sets out to identify evidence-based – Participation, engagement, representation and empowerment of people with disabilities in all recommendations for good pstagesractic eofi npreparednessthe area M andet hresponseodolog (GPDDical Fr andam Worldewor Bank,k 2009; CBM, 2013; BMZ, 2013, of disability-inclusive resilDiDRRience Network,to clim 2014;ate MCCR, 2015, Alexander et al., 2012; Kelman and Stough, eds, 2015). change. The methodology of the research will – Accessibility - embedded acrosscombi nthee physicalquantit aenvironment,tive and q inu acommunications,litative and in reconstruction to remove barriers that restrict mobility and communication and that actors recognise It will also explore thereconstructionways in wish anich opportunityapp rtoo a‘buildches .back better’ in line with principles of universal design interventions can build the r(Handicapesilience oInternational,f people 2009; CBM, 2013; UNESCAP, 2014; Lord et al, 2016) The research will be undertaken in three with disabilities to climatic– shTechnologyocks and st -r esuchsses as. GIS has the potential to play a greater role in helping to prepare and protect people with disabilities duringph disastersases. Th e(Alexanderse are: et al., 2012) The project will focus on two countries, Kenya o Literature review – Non-discrimination and addressing stigma is integral. (CBM, 2013; MCCR, 2015). and Bangladesh both of which have already o Internet-based survey committed to increas–ingCapacityclima buildingte-relate dand Effectiveo Semi- Sadvocacytructured on disabilityIntervi erights,ws, andFo cofu speople with disabilities and resilience and have track retheircord respectives on disa borganisationsility Gr (Lordoup Deti sal.,cu s2016,sions DiDRRand C aNetwork,se Stud 2014;ies in Lord et al., 2016). inclusion. – Coordination and collaborationKenya isa nrequiredd Bang lbetweenadesh the diverse range of actors in disaster and humanitarian response, the government, and people with disabilities and their representative Funded by Managed by organisations (CBM, 2013;Re sMCCRearc h2015; Ou tLordcom ete al., 2016). Identify intersectional inequalities and draw out specific drivers of vulnerability and resilience.

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

Explore how these link with resilience and intersecting inequalities, as identified in the respective countries.

For more information, Contact Dr. Maria Kett Email address: [email protected] 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

Slide 29 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.

Slide 30

Ongoing Challenges.

– Definitions

– Little internationally comparable data

– Lack of coordination

– Costs?

→ post crisis potential for inequalities to grow

Slide 31 Slide 31 …And some opportunities?

– Timing of interventions

– Increased visibility (including CRPD)

– Funding – Costs?

– ‘Build back better’

Slide 32 Slide 32 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?

Questions?

Thank You!

Slide 34 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