From Shelter to Burden: Complex Effects of Post-Disaster Relief Activities of International Organization on Women in Nepal

The risk of increased violence against women after a disaster has been identified as an issue in post-disaster international relief efforts. In Nepal international relief activities targeting women have been performed extensively since the 2015 earthquake. This presentation focuses on a specific women’s shelter created in this context and examines its impact on women living in the post-disaster world. The research methods used for this presentation are qualitative research, including observations, participatory observations, and interviews, as well as the acquisition and analysis of materials issued by government agencies and media were conducted in the affected areas of Nepal.

At the study site, an international non-governmental organization constructed a women’s shelter to provide safe showers and toilets to women living in temporary huts. A user group was formed by the organization to manage and operate the shelter. Additionally, the organization provided empowerment training to the user group. This series of support activities for women affected by disasters presents two contradictory long effects. First, the organization categorized the women in terms of diversity and equity, which is different from the typical village logic, thus resulting in a range of friendships and activities that differ from those during normal times. The second issue is the continuously increasing burden. Originally, the women were responsible for housework and agriculture. However, when they were selected to join the group, they were presented with the additional burden of attending weekly classes and becoming leaders in local disaster management. The project was terminated three years after the earthquake. Meanwhile, the shelters are currently used as storage facilities for emergency supplies. The women's shelter and group, which were established during the disaster, have been integrated into the daily lives of the women in a dual manner, i.e., expanding the world in which they live and adding to their burdens.