Feminist Peace Network

A new report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research

“examines the issue of women’s increased vulnerability during times of
natural disaster and explores how the experiences of women impacted by Katrina
align with international norms associated with gender and disaster. It also provides
an overarching race/class/gendered analysis of the post-Katrina experiences of
women, with a special emphasis on what they are doing now to rebuild their lives,
reconstruct their homes, restore their families, and reclaim their communities.”

Among the findings of the report:

“Due to this (housing) shortage, many women and girls must now share
accommodations with extended family members, acquaintances, or even in some
cases, known former abusers, simply to have a place to call home.  According
to the city’s remaining domestic violence and sexual assault service providers,
the resulting overcrowding has led to abuse specifically linked to the Katrina
experience.

Two-thirds of New Orleans’ child care facilities remain closed nearly two years
after the storm, creating a significant barrier to work for mothers seeking to reenter
the workforce.

The scarcity of childcare is another formidable obstacle, post-Katrina. More than 3,000 licensed Gulf Coast childcare facilities were damaged or destroyed, and most remain out of service today. Only 10 in Louisiana and one in Mississippi got federal assistance to reopen.”

Filed under: Uncategorized, Atrocities