This fact sheet discusses the physical and mental health issues that affect each gender differently. The document also stresses the importance of maintaining a gender perspective in emergencies, how to provide gender-responsive health services in emergencies, how to address the physical and psychosocial trauma of gender-based violence in emergencies, and the guiding principles for providing support to survivors.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH) was established in 1991. According to its website, it works to improve the health and sense of well-being of all U.S. women and girls. It aims to promote health equity for women and girls through sex- and gender-specific approaches. OWH develops programs, educates health professionals, and disseminates health information to motivate behavior change in the public.

This fact sheet provides information for disaster managers and planners about the challenges that women face in East Asia and the Pacific. The document highlights key findings, explains why women are at higher risk, and describes recommendations for best practices in the planning, decision-making, and implementation processes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers numerous resources related to disasters and pregnant women and women with newborns as well as older women to offer guidance to health, mental health, and public health officials.

The purpose of this organization is to foster and share information for researchers and practitioners on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and gender equality and diversity, with a focus on women and disasters. The organization provides resources that explain how communities, community leaders, state and local governments, disaster responders, and women in general can effectively network.

This article discusses how understanding the importance of diversity needs, strengths, and vulnerability within communities is considered crucial in disaster recovery.

This article discusses the importance of recognizing the strong relationship between gender equality and disaster resilience and covers topics on understanding gender, the differences in gender disaster reactions, and the importance of support services. The article can be used by researchers with interest in measuring worldwide gender equality.

This article discusses the lack of research on sex and gender differences in vulnerability to the impact of disasters. The publication considers the issues of gender roles, social and economic consequences, evidence of domestic and sexual violence, psychological impacts, planning and delivering disaster response services, the research that is needed, and the implications for disaster relief programs and policies.

This fact sheet highlights the general gender-related issues for women and natural disasters; specifically why women are more vulnerable in disaster situations, and why women provide unique disaster response support.

This fact sheet discusses topics such as gender disparities and mental health, gender-specific risk factors, gender bias, women’s mental health, and the World Health Organization’s focus on women’s mental health. The document can be used by behavioral health and primary care administrators, supervisors, and treatment professionals.

This site, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH), was created to help girls (ages 10-16) learn about health, growing up, and issues they may face. It focuses on health topics about which girls are concerned and helps motivate them to choose healthy behaviors by using positive, supportive, and nonthreatening messages.

This guide highlights the need for gender-sensitive approaches and provides information on gender issues in disaster management. The document describes the approaches of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies when integrating gender into the disaster management cycle and strengthening accountability for gender impact. The guide also includes international case studies.

Appropriate for anyone providing psychosocial and mental health support to women who are pregnant, this article suggests ways to help pregnant women cope with Zika-related anxiety and distress, offers two simple tools to screen for mood or anxiety disorders, and provides links to related resources. [Author: Manzella C]

Written before confirmed cases of Zika in the United States, this article nevertheless provides useful tips for women who are pregnant to help them manage anxiety they feel about Zika and the risk it poses to them, their developing babies, and their families. [Author: Manzella C]

This press release covers findings from the American Psychological Association’s 2008 Stress in America survey. Key findings include that the financial downturn at the time was a significant stressor on Americans, particularly on women, and that stress people were experiencing was affecting their health and activities aimed at managing stress. The release also provides stress management tips.

This publication presents examples from several countries of incorporating gender equality and gender-related issues into disaster risk reduction. Examples come from countries including India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru. Each example includes lessons learned. The publication may be useful to practitioners and policymakers, particularly those who work in rural areas and developing nations.

This guide provides information on the training and education, physical and mental health, and empowerment of women in the aftermath of disasters.

This webpage provides general tips for expecting mothers to get prepared before a disaster and what to do in case of a disaster to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.

This fact sheet contains information for disaster managers and planners on mitigation and preparedness concerning women and disasters. The document discusses the impact of disasters on women, women’s vulnerability during disasters, important information for emergency response and recovery organizations, and systems to use when helping women.

This article highlights the issues of women and their vulnerability in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. These issues include race, class, age, and disability, in addition to the importance of preparedness and response resources and the best practices that should be followed when attending to the needs of women. [Author: Enarson, E.]

This document showcases best practices for disaster planners and communities to promote and practice gender mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction. This publication highlights the experiences of several states in India: Assam, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Maharashtra. The document presents gender equity initiatives in disaster risk management to promote women’s involvement in community disaster preparedness.

This article discusses the need for more women to volunteer at the community level after a disaster, as well as the need for more women to serve in senior positions as disaster managers. The article also warns against ignoring the importance of addressing the needs of women and discusses how women should be used as a vital disaster recovery resource. [Author: Wahlstrom, M.]

Humanitarian professionals and practitioners developed this handbook to improve gender equality programming in humanitarian efforts and programs. The handbook discusses the basics of gender equality, the coordination of gender equality in emergencies and the elements of conducting effective coordination, and the numerous gender issues with health, food, shelter, and education in emergencies.

This guide discusses the issues of natural disaster recovery for women and their communities.

These teleconferences, held each Tuesday, address the communication concerns, and needs of state, local, and territorial health communicators, as well as partner organizations. Topics include risk perception, clear communication techniques, and the speed at which new information is presented to the public. Slides, audio files, and transcripts of past teleconferences are available.