Gender-Based Violence In the Sociology of Disasters: Inequality, Invisibility, and Institutional Responses

Although gender-based violence (GBV) in disaster contexts has been recognized for several decades as an issue to be addressed in the sociology of disasters and disaster response policies, it continues to persist as a "hidden disaster." Against the backdrop of the destabilization of families and communities, large-scale displacement, and the disruption of livelihood systems, the experiences of women and girls subjected to violence often remain invisible and are not treated as a priority in either emergency response or reconstruction efforts, reflecting broader patterns of social inequality.

GBV in disaster contexts is a critical issue for both human rights and the quality and inclusiveness of humanitarian response. However, our understanding of the realities of GBV, as well as the effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts, remains limited. Despite the development of tools, resources, and coordination mechanisms—primarily led by international organizations—significant gaps persist in legal frameworks and policy implementation.

This session invites contributions that examine GBV in disaster settings from a range of perspectives. Relevant topics include but are not limited to: the invisibility of victimization and challenges in data collection; intersectional analyses; the resilience and agency of survivors; the design of institutional arrangements such as evacuation shelters and reconstruction processes; the evaluation of interventions; and comparative studies across different disaster contexts. By bringing together diverse empirical and theoretical insights, this session aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on social vulnerability, inequality, and institutional responses and broader social dynamics in the sociology of disasters through a focus on GBV.