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tsunami in Sri Lanka: “In the relief centres, at food distribution points, the men who were giving the food were looking at us in an uncomfortable way, and they did that to teenage girls who went to the food distribution points alone. They made us feel uneasy. Many distributors are men, so we felt shy to ask for things.” 14 Jagonari, a women’s rights organisation in Bangladesh, said that during and after a disaster such as a flood, “girls are often harassed, they have no economic power, no voice and often these incidents are hidden by them and their families”.15 Adolescent girls, especially if separated from their families, may not know how to protect themselves. And the systems that are meant to be in place to protect girls may be disrupted during or after an emergency. Girls whose parents have died or been injured, and who are in the care of a relative, or an unrelated adult, or an institution, are even more at risk. This situation puts them in the power of people other than their parents, which often results in abuse. Another factor putting girls at risk is that once they are displaced, they may have to make a journey that is dangerous, unfamiliar or a long way away to fetch water or firewood or sometimes just to go to the toilet. In Bangladesh, research found that the job of fetching water is consigned to girls between the ages of 12 and 17.16 Even if they go in groups, they may be at risk of attack. In Ethiopia, according to the African Network for the Prevention and Protection of Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), a local NGO in Lalibela, most of the rapes and abductions occur when girls have to walk for firewood or water.17 “I know two girls who were raped going to fetch water. When you go far and there are not many people around, it happens,” said 16-year-old Endager from Lasta District, Ethiopia.18 In a disaster, adolescent girls may be at greater risk because the situation is often chaotic and the main priority for humanitarian agencies, and even families, is food, water, shelter and healthcare rather than protection. Humanitarian organisations need to be aware of this, and make special provision for the protection of adolescent girls, recognising that they have different needs from older women.
‘Boys CAN TAke CARe of TheMseLves’: dIffeReNT dANgeRs foR gIRLs ANd Boys IN keNyA19 In 2011, kenya and the horn of Africa experienced the worst drought since 1985, which affected more than 3.75 million people and led to extreme levels of malnutrition and death, as well as lost livelihoods. Research for this report found that parents, teachers and school committee members believed girls and boys faced different dangers in times of drought. Respondents believed girls faced more risks and were more vulnerable than boys. girls, especially older girls, who were left to take care of the family while their parents were away looking for money and food, were seen as being at risk of rape or being lured into having sex. other dangers for girls included early pregnancy and being coerced into taking drugs. for boys, the main issues were the risk of injury or even death as they searched for work, far away from home or while hunting. Boys could easily be lured into gangs that were involved in stealing, or get involved in alcohol and substance abuse. There was a general view, as one school committee member indicated, that: “Boys can take care of themselves when alone.” But this can also put boys at risk, since the expectation is that they can protect themselves; sexual violence against men and boys is taboo and therefore often goes unreported.
sarah and Mary collecting water after 15 km walk, kenya.