Exploring dimensions of sexual issues in disasters and conflicts: Need to bridge the gaps between policy and practice

Background

Disasters and conflicts are becoming more severe in nature over the decades. Though a number of efforts are made for disaster management, yet the sexual issues arising in disasters are often not understood, explored and discussed to ensure adequate interventions.

Methods

This qualitative study is based on systematic observations and documentations in different disaster management programs between 2001 to 2020 with a number of survivors (at least 100 families in each disaster) across India. The community-based participatory research was adopted to collect information, document the same in daily, weekly, and monthly reports. Through a number of interactions, systematic documentation of the interventions, personal bias and social barriers were neutralized to bring a constructive and conclusive understanding.

Results

There are a number of sexual and reproductive health issues among the women, girls, boys and men, that often lead to multiple coercive sexual relationships and high-risk sexual behavior leading to exploitation and abuse. Sexual rights are severely compromised during emergencies and conflicts which often leads to multiple coercive sexual relationships and high-risk sexual behavior leading to exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a number of sexual difficulties and increased sexual activities over virtual platforms.

Conclusion

Protection of sexual rights and preventing the survivors from experiencing sexual violence are essential for their rehabilitation and recovery. The various policies on disaster management have no clear focus for addressing these through effective programming. Considering the wider array of sexual issues, the recommendations for disaster management are formed for the sexual well being of survivors.