This paper discusses the risks faced by Pacific women when it comes to disasters and humanitarian situations.

It highlights that Pacific women are also subject to pre-existing and systemic inequalities, including high levels of gender-based violence, barriers to women’s meaningful representation in decision-making forums, formal and informal obstacles to women’s access to productive resources and information, and deficiencies in essential service provision for vulnerable groups.

The paper argues that all humanitarian actors are required to integrate consideration for the rights of vulnerable groups into every stage of humanitarian operations. However it highlights that many Pacific humanitarian actors have a limited capacity on gender and protection issues, and do not afford these issues sufficient priority in preparedness and response.

A number of recommendations are given to address these and other related issues.

[Adapted from source]