The Indian Ocean Tsunami, also known as Asian Tsunami on 26 December 2004, is the deadliest in recorded history. Following Indonesia and Sri Lanka, India was the third hardest hit country with the Tsunami killing 12,405 people. In particular, the disaster affected women and children, who accounted for nearly 75 percent of the fatalities. This study examines the gendered realities that resulted in the aftermath of the Tsunami for men, women and transgenders (aravanis). The document shows how women were excluded from the list of beneficiaries prepared by the Panchayats(i.e.

Do women work more or less when countries trade more? Do trade expansion and economic liberalisation affect women and men in different ways'? Case studies from Ghana, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Jamaica are used in this report to illustrate some of the gender dimensions relating to trade. Present evidence suggests that, under certain conditions, export expansion can benefit certain groups of younger, more educated women. However in general, the rights of women workers to fair terms and conditions of employment need protection.

This book highlights the gender dimensions of conflict, organised around major relevant themes such as female combatants, sexual violence, formal and informal peace processes, the legal framework, work, the rehabilitation of social services and community-driven development. It analyses how conflict changes gender roles and the policy options that might be considered to build on positive aspects of these roles while minimising adverse changes.

This paper highlights the unique role played by women during and after the onset of a natural disaster, with specific reference to Sri Lanka and the South Asian region. Sri Lanka, as an island in the Bay of Bengal, is frequently hit by floods, droughts and landslides, with the government response being more geared towards charity and relief rather than preparedness and disaster management.

Poor communities in developing countries mainly depend on traditional biomass such as charcoal, wood and dung as other energy systems are often not accessible to them. Energy scarcity affects mainly women as they are the ones responsible for biomass collection. These time-consuming tasks often prevent women from seeking education and from engaging in income generating activities that are essential for overcoming poverty.

In the introduction to this publication, ENERGIA policy advisor and editor of this pubication Gail Karlsson writes, “In many developing countries, especially in the poorest areas, most energy currently comes from traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal and agricultural wastes - and collection and managing these fuels is strictly ‘women’s business’.” She calls on national energy and development policy-makers to acknowledge the links between women’s work, national economics and energy; as well as make more gender-focused investments and initiatives, with greater and more diverse invo

All communities have the right to contribute to climate adaptation strategies. This issue of Participatory Learning and Action was produced by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) to coincide with the 2009 COP 15 and surrounding events. The publication aims to facilitate learning and experience-sharing around community-based adaptation (CBA) approaches that empower poor and marginalised communities and build on local knowledge and coping strategies.