Understanding gendered issues in emergency management

This factsheet helps duty holders whose work intersects with emergency management understand how emergencies can affect people differently based on gender. It outlines key issues to consider and helps you decide what to look at in a GIA. It builds on the Commission’s GIA toolkit (GIA Step 1: Define the issues and challenge assumptions) and provides examples.

You can download a copy of this factsheet at the bottom of this page.

What we know

People of different genders, backgrounds, and identities experience emergencies differently. These differences shape:

• who uses Emergency Relief Centres and related services
• who receives support
• how recovery happens.

Understanding these differences through an intersectional gender lens is essential to EM. This helps EM responses be fair, inclusive, and responsive to all members of the community.
This factsheet does not cover every unique need or experience. It is a starting point. Review local data and do your own consultations to understand local conditions.

Evidence and key themes

Who is included in decision-making?

In organisations

Leadership and authority:

• Men are overrepresented in some areas of EM, particularly response and control agency leadership,.
• Women are often more represented in relief and recovery roles.
• This can shape who is seen as having authority during emergencies.
• People may look to the person in uniform as the authority, which can mean others are overlooked.
• Unconscious bias can influence whose views are heard and taken into account.
• This can lead to assumptions that one group’s experiences reflect everyone’s needs.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a.

Collaboration:

• When leadership lacks diversity, it often overlooks the views of women and gender diverse people.
• This can affect safety and accessibility.
• It can also create barriers to collaboration and communication.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a.

In communities

Governance:

• Men are often over-represented in planning and recovery groups.
• This can mean men’s experiences, needs and voices dominate local conversations.
• It can also affect what is prioritised in emergencies.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2025.

Gender stereotypes:

• Emergencies often reinforce traditional gender stereotypes of men as protectors and women as caregivers.
• Research shows that during emergencies, decision-making can default to men. This can exclude others from having a say.
• This can put everyone – including men themselves – at greater risk of harm.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2025.

Representation:

• Groups of people are often under-represented in leadership and decision-making based on their:
  • gender identity
  • cultural background
  • age
  • ability
  • religion
  • sexual orientation.
• This can mean that creating more inclusive and diverse spaces is deprioritised.
• Representation alone does not determine influence. Factors such as organisational roles, visibility (e.g. uniformed roles), and unconscious bias can shape whose voices are heard and prioritised in emergency contexts.

Key research: Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector 2023.

What are the needs of different genders?

Women and girls

Safety planning:

• Emergency preparedness activities may not always reflect women’s experiences or roles.
• This can leave them less trained in bushfire safety or operating machinery.
• This can increase women’s reliance on others and put them at greater risk of harm.
• Women continue to be more likely to manage caring responsibilities for children, older people, and people with disabilities.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2025; Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024.

Sexual and reproductive health:

• In emergencies, women and girls need specific health information and have specific needs. This includes access to sexual and reproductive health prescriptions and period products.
• These services are typically delivered by the health system and other providers.
• Emergency planning should consider how people can access these services during emergencies.
• Pregnant people and new parents may also require other support. This includes safe birthing facilities and postnatal care.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a.

Personal safety:

• Family violence and other forms of gender-based violence spike during and after emergencies.
• Women are disproportionately victim-survivors.
• It is important that emergency environments consider safety and accessibility. This may include access to private spaces, appropriate facilities, and support services.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Chowdhury et al. 2021.

Economic resources:

• Emergencies worsen existing financial inequalities and insecurities.
• Women often face:
  • lower pay
  • housing insecurity
  • part-time or casual work
  • additional pressures as single parents or primary carers
  • over-representation in work in essential industries like hospitality and health.
• During emergencies, women may become more vulnerable to economic or financial abuse.

Key research: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024; Gender and Disaster 2023b.

Access to education and risk of exploitation:

• Girls are often expected to care for siblings or family members.
• This can prevent them from accessing education or recovery support.
• Overcrowded shelters or displaced settings can raise the risk of gendered harm for girls.

Key research: Steinert et al, 2021.

Men and boys

Risks to physical health and safety:

• Men often take on dangerous or physical roles in emergencies.
• This leaves them at higher risk of injury or strain.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2025.

Mental health and isolation:

• Men may feel pressure to appear strong. Even when experiencing emotions like fear and grief.
• This can stop men from seeking and accessing support. This can lead to:
  • poor mental health
  • social isolation
  • harmful coping strategies such as drug and alcohol use.

Key research: The Men's Project & Flood 2024; Gender and Disaster Australia 2025; Parkinson 2022.

Financial security:

• Men who are primary earners often experience increased stress and anxiety when work is disrupted due to emergencies.
• Industries like agriculture and essential services (electricity, gas, water, and waste services) are often hit hard in emergencies. These fields are often male dominated.

Key research: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024.

Gender-diverse people

Personal safety:

• Gender-diverse people experience disproportionately high rates of family and gender-based violence.
• There is also a heightened risk of discrimination in emergencies.

Key research: Carman, M. et al. 2020; Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Gender and Disaster 2023b; Larin 2024.

Healthcare:

• Access to gender-affirming care (e.g. medication; hormones) and mental health support can be disrupted in emergencies.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a.

Social support and assistance:

• Some gender diverse people are isolated from their families or face stigma in the community.
• As a result, they may need extra help:
  • rebuilding support networks
  • for administrative tasks, like getting new ID documents that reflect their gender identity.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Gender and Disaster 2023b.

Inclusive processes and facilities:

• Lack of gender-inclusive language in emergency communications and registration processes, and unsuitable amenities, such as toilets and showers at Emergency Relief Centres, can make gender diverse people feel unwelcome and unsafe during emergencies.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Gender and Disaster 2023b; Larin 2024.

What impact do traditional gender roles and responsibilities have on access to services?

Responsibilities:

• Women continue to do most of the unpaid care and domestic work.
• School and service closures increase this load.
• This can result in women putting their needs last. It can also limit their participation in clean-up and recovery efforts.

Key research: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2025; Women's Health Loddon Mallee 2024; Gender and Disaster 2023b.

Roles:

• Men have traditionally been expected to be ‘protectors’ and ‘providers’ in families and communities.
• This can lead to men doing more practical tasks (e.g. sandbagging, clearing debris and rebuilding fences).
• It may also create pressure on men to stay and defend, rather than evacuate.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Gender and Disaster Australia 2025; Women's Health Loddon Mallee 2024.

Perceptions of risk:

• Gender stereotypes can shape how people perceive danger. It can also shape how organisations design responses and resource allocations.
• For example, men might downplay vulnerabilities or take more risks. While women's experiences may be minimised and seen as overreacting.

Key research: Women's Health Loddon Mallee 2024; Gender and Disaster Australia 2025.

Seeking help:

• Women might be less likely to seek help due to fear of judgment or being seen as ‘less capable.’
• Men might feel pressure to handle situations themselves and see help as a sign of weakness.

Key research: Women's Health Loddon Mallee 2024; The Men's Project & Flood 2024.

What additional needs do people have?

People’s needs and experiences are shaped not only by gender but also by factors such as age, disability, cultural background, and income. It is vital to understand how gender inequality interacts with issues such as:

• ageism
• ableism
• racism
• homophobia
• biphobia.

Looking at how these overlap with gender is called taking an ‘intersectional gender approach.’

The following sections outline additional needs for particular groups.

LGBTIQA+ communities

LGBTIQA+ people face unique challenges before, during and after emergencies. They may also draw on strong networks of mutual support. This can be an asset in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Safety and inclusion:

• LGBTIQA+ people may feel uncomfortable or unsafe to disclose their identity or speak up in emergency preparedness training or relief centres.
• Some lack support from their families or face stigma within their communities.
• This can create barriers to connecting with the community. It can also stop them from accessing support in emergencies.

Key research: Gender and Disaster Australia 2023a; Gender and Disaster 2023b.

Community attitudes:

• Bisexual women, trans women, and gender-diverse people experience higher rates of family and gender-based violence.
• Discrimination, harassment, and violence may increase in evacuation and relief centres where privacy is limited.
• In some settings, the views or practices of volunteers, service providers or faith-based organisations may make LGBTIQA+ people feel unwelcome or unsafe.

Key research: Our Watch 2025a; Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience 2024.

Understanding the spectrum:

• It is important to remember that the acronym ‘LGBTIQA+’ represents a diverse group of people, each of whom may be affected differently by emergencies.

Key research: Larin 2024.

People with disabilities

People with disabilities, chronic illnesses, neurodivergence, or mental illnesses often face significant barriers during emergencies. This can leave them at greater risk of harm.

Their lived experiences also provide valuable insights for designing more inclusive and effective emergency services.

Access to information:

• Emergency warnings and information can be inaccessible.
• It is essential to provide information in multiple formats, such as:
  • Auslan
  • closed captioning
  • large print
  • audio messaging
  • plain language
  • non-digital formats for those without online access.
• Emergency warnings are issued by control agencies. Other organisations can help make information accessible.

Key research: Craig & Whitburn 2023; Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Access requirements:

• People with disabilities often struggle with inaccessible:
  • evacuation plans
  • transportation services
  • temporary accommodation
  • emergency relief centres.
• Considerations such as ramps, wide doorways, accessible toilets, mobility and medical aids, and service animals are essential.

Key research: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Assistance with daily tasks:

• People who need help with daily activities and tasks may lose access to essential services.
• This puts their health and safety at risk.

Key research: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Personal safety:

• People with disabilities, particularly women and gender diverse people, are at greater risk of family and gender-based violence.
• Perpetrators can restrict:
  • freedom of movement, including evacuating
  • access to necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
• In emergencies, people in group homes and health or aged care facilities face a higher risk of violence, neglect, and exploitation.
• This can happen when there is less oversight from family, friends, advocates, and visitors.

Key research: Women with Disabilities Victoria 2024; Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Social isolation:

• Social isolation can be higher for people with disabilities when communication methods are disrupted.

Key research: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Financial insecurity:

• People with disabilities face greater barriers to employment.
• They can also have additional costs for medication, transport, and therapy.
• This can increase financial stress and insecurity during and after emergencies.

Key research: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020.

Older people

Emergency planning and response should include consultation with older people and consider the broader ways emergencies can affect them. This includes providing access to:

• evacuation
• essential medications
• timely information.

This will help ensure that emergency responses protect the health, wellbeing, and dignity of older people.

Also, disability-inclusive emergency planning is essential and will address many of the access and support needs for those with age-related disabilities.

First Nations communities

First Nations communities face specific challenges during emergencies. First Nations communities may not have culturally safe places to evacuate to. Also, their connection to Country is often overlooked.

First Nations people have strong cultural knowledge, strength, and resilience. This comes from a deep connection to Country and community. These strengths have continued despite the impacts of colonisation.

When First Nations communities are part of each step in planning and decision-making, emergency responses work better.

Connection to Country:

• Emergencies that damage Country affect the health and wellbeing of First Nations communities.
• This is because of the deep connection between land, culture, history, and identity.

Key research: Rosenhek & Atkinson 2023.

Mistrust and trauma:

• Colonisation, displacement, and systemic racism have created mistrust of government and mainstream services.
• Evacuation can trigger trauma from past displacement and child removal from families.
• This can cause some First Nations people to avoid seeking information or help.

Key research: Rosenhek & Atkinson 2023.

Personal safety:

• First Nations women experience higher rates of family violence than non-Indigenous women.
• This can rise during and after emergencies.

Key research: Rosenhek & Atkinson 2023.

Culturally and racially marginalised communities

Culturally and racially marginalised communities often encounter unique barriers during emergencies. These include:

• lack of culturally appropriate information
• varying levels of trust in authorities
• restricted access to services due to immigration status.

These communities also bring valuable knowledge and networks. This can strengthen EM efforts when they are actively included.

Information and resources:

• Some communities may not know:
  • the role of emergency services
  • when it is appropriate to call 000
  • how to respond to official warnings.
• This can lead to confusion, panic, and inertia.
• Low levels of English literacy can also make it hard to understand emergency information.
• Translated materials should not be relied upon either. Some people, commonly women, have low literacy in their primary spoken language. They may rely on verbal communication or visuals.

Key research: Chandonnet, 2021; Hayes & Ryan, 2024.

Communication channels:

• Many communities rely on radio and word-of-mouth, especially through community and faith leaders - rather than government websites, newspapers, or social media.

Key research: Chandonnet 2021; Hayes & Ryan 2024; Hou et al 2025; Young et al 2021.

Perception of risk:

• Emergencies in Australia may be different from what people have experienced overseas.
• This can affect how they understand risk and when they take action.

Key research: Chandonnet 2021; Hayes & Ryan 2024.

Seeking support:

• People with few social connections may find it hard to get information or support.
• Some people avoid asking for help because of stigma towards seeking specific types of support (e.g. mental health treatment) or cultural beliefs.
• Being required to leave their homes in an emergency can bring up past trauma. Especially for people from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds.
• Women and gender-diverse people face higher rates of gender-based violence. This can get worse during emergencies.

Key research: Chandonnet 2021; Our Watch 2025b.

Cultural sensitivity:

• Emergency planning often misses cultural needs. This includes:
  • food
  • dress
  • rituals
  • practices around death and mourning
  • gender needs, such as privacy for women.

Key research: Chandonnet 2021.

People from faith-based communities

People from faith-based communities often face challenges during emergencies. They may need prayer spaces or support for specific beliefs and spiritual practices. Respecting and recognising religious observances is essential in emergency planning and responses.

Communication channels:

• Faith leaders and places of worship are often trusted and used for connection and gathering. They may be relied upon for information and assistance in emergencies.

Key research: Hayes & Ryan 2024.

Beliefs about emergencies:

Some people believe divine protection will keep them safe in a disaster. This can mean people do not prepare for emergencies or make a plan. They may also ignore evacuation alerts.

Key research: Hayes & Ryan 2024.

Inclusive practices:

• Emergency plans often miss faith-based needs like clothing, food, and religious practices.
• Many emergency settings lack private, quiet prayer spaces. This can add more stress.

Young people

Young people can be strongly affected by emergencies. These events can disrupt their education, work, mental health, and relationships.

Limited decision-making power:

• Young people are often left out of emergency planning.
• As a result, their specific needs – including gender-related safety and health needs – may be overlooked.

Key research: Heffernan et al. 2024; Youth Affairs Council Victoria 2020.

Social Isolation:

• Young people may feel isolated and anxious during emergencies.
• This is especially true when the school, transport, or community programs they rely on for social interaction are disrupted.
• Gender roles can influence how they cope – some young women may seek support, while some young men may feel pressure to cope alone.

Key research: MacDonald et al. 2023.

Mental health challenges:

• Emergencies can increase anxiety, depression, and other mental-health issues for young people.
• Stigma can stop them from seeking help.
• Young women are more likely to seek support,
• Stereotypes about masculinity may discourage young men from seeking help.

Key research: Heffernan et al. 2022.

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