Bridget Burns serves as the executive director of WEDO (Women’s Environment and Development Organization), a global advocacy group dedicated to promoting gender equality and climate justice for indigenous communities.
You might have encountered this statistic before – it’s frequently cited in headlines, conferences, and even United Nations addresses: “Women are 14 times more likely than men to perish in disaster events.”
This figure is powerful and memorable, especially in Western contexts. It captures attention and sparks concern. Yet, here’s the reality: the statistic is misleading and oversimplified. It does not accurately reflect the complex realities of gender disparities in climate-related disasters.
The prevailing narrative linking gender and climate-induced fatalities is both more nuanced and more pressing than the simplified statistic suggests. To truly address the issue, we need to understand the social, economic, and cultural factors that influence vulnerability and resilience, and how these can be transformed.
Why Simplified Statistics Can Be Misleading
The “14 times more likely” figure has served as a rallying cry for many advocates. However, relying on it without context can be problematic. It risks eroding credibility by reducing a multifaceted issue to a single number. Such framing can inadvertently portray women solely as passive victims, rather than as active agents capable of change. It also diverts attention from the core question:
Instead of asking, “Are women 14 times more likely to die in disasters?” we should be asking, “What systemic structures increase risk for certain populations, and how can we dismantle these barriers?”
By shifting the focus to structural inequalities, we open pathways to meaningful solutions that save lives and empower communities.
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The Origins of the Statistic and Its Limitations
The origin of the “14 times” figure is surprisingly fragile. It stems from a single case study: a 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh, analyzed by disaster response experts. Over time, this isolated data point was extrapolated and repeated so often that it became accepted as an unquestioned fact. This repetition obscures the fact that the statistic is not based on comprehensive global data but on a specific incident.
While it’s true that women often face higher risks during disasters, this is not due to inherent vulnerability. Instead, research from 2007 by Neumayer and Plümper revealed that gender disparities in disaster mortality are primarily driven by social inequalities. When women and men enjoy equal rights and access, their mortality rates in disasters tend to be similar. Women are not biologically more fragile; they are often held back by societal restrictions and cultural norms.
Addressing Inequality as the Root Cause
Let’s revisit the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone. Back then, many women did not receive early warnings because cultural norms kept them at home, and communication channels often failed to reach them. Consequently, more women perished than men.
Contrast this with the 2007 cyclone Sidr, where Bangladesh had learned from past tragedies. The country invested in women’s leadership, community education, and improved early warning systems. Shelters became more accessible, and community engagement increased. As a result, the death toll decreased significantly, and the gender gap in fatalities narrowed.
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The Power of Facts and Data
We do not need to cling to a single, sensational statistic to make a compelling case for gender-responsive climate action. The reality is clear: climate change and disasters do not impact everyone equally. Vulnerability is amplified by existing inequalities-be it economic, social, or political. Marginalized groups, especially women with less mobility or decision-making power, bear the brunt of climate impacts.
Understanding this allows us to craft policies that prioritize gender equality, ensuring women’s leadership in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and recovery efforts. Such approaches not only save lives but also foster resilient communities.
Building a Data-Driven, Equitable Future
As global leaders convene in early June for the Eighth Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, the focus must be on creating equitable, resilient systems. This involves improving data collection to reflect the lived experiences of women, girls, and gender-diverse populations, and designing policies that address systemic barriers to safety and participation.
- Gathering localized, disaggregated data that captures diverse experiences and vulnerabilities.
- Implementing policies that recognize caregiving responsibilities, mobility challenges, and social exclusions that heighten risk.
- Investing in women’s leadership across all levels of disaster management, from planning to response and recovery.
Moving Beyond Soundbites: Telling the Full Story
In times of crisis-whether environmental or political-the narratives we promote shape public perception and policy priorities. If we continue to portray women solely as helpless victims, we risk perpetuating stereotypes that hinder progress. Instead, we must highlight stories of resilience, leadership, and innovation-those already working tirelessly to build safer, more equitable communities.
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Allowing outdated or inaccurate narratives to dominate can lead to misguided policies and misallocation of resources. It’s crucial to challenge myths-even compelling ones-and to focus on the facts that can truly inform effective action. Accurate storytelling saves lives by guiding us toward solutions rooted in reality, not stereotypes.
Organizations like WEDO are at the forefront of this effort, co-leading initiatives such as the Gender and Environment Data Alliance (GEDA) and the Gender-Responsive Climate Action program. These efforts aim to strengthen data collection, amplify women’s voices, and promote solutions that prioritize gender equality in climate resilience and disaster response.
