What is it like to be a woman affected by war or natural disaster? What do women and girls need in such situations? This is often better understood by other women, humanitarian aid workers. Up to 40 per cent of the more than half a million aid workers worldwide are women. Our colleagues, women humanitarian and development aid workers, explain why they think it is important for women to be involved in this field.
Women might have more trust in other women
Women are often disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises and development problems, and it is therefore important that women are represented among the humanitarian workers who are helping them. Moreover, women face specific challenges in crises that other women might be better placed to help them with. “Women working in the humanitarian sector are able to put themselves in the position of disadvantaged women, they can imagine what they are going through and, above all, they might more accurately assess their main needs,” says Anna Volfová, Caritas Czech Republic’s aid coordinator for the Middle East.
Women affected by crises may be embarrassed to address health issues or sensitive matters with male workers. Therefore, it may happen that in the absence of a female worker at the disaster site, affected women may feel ashamed to ask for even basic hygiene items such as hygiene pads or tampons. Especially in developing countries, but not only in them, this is a crucial issue that needs to be taken into account and female aid workers need to be involved in the provision of humanitarian aid.
“As a result of trauma, in some cases women may be more willing to talk to women than men and may have a deeper trust in other women,” says Kateřina Krejčová, emergency response officer at Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine. “In terms of access to information, identification of needs and community trust, the presence of women is extremely important, and the equal representation of women among humanitarian professionals is therefore given special emphasis in humanitarian missions,” adds Krejčová.
Personal experience plays an important role
According to Cristina Rogojina, project manager and humanitarian worker at Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova, women humanitarian workers can often uncover invisible problems related to women's health, childcare and sexual and reproductive health. “While men are directly recruited and involved in the war, women and children end up becoming refugees in their own country or beyond its borders. It is absolutely critical that women are involved in humanitarian assistance, from the very beginning, at the planning stage of humanitarian projects and activities,” says Rogojina.
In high-risk areas of ongoing conflict, women can become victims of trafficking, are more vulnerable to damage to infrastructure, and often bear a greater burden of caring for the community. “Women may also be more likely to be victims of domestic violence due to the burden placed on them in conflict areas,” notes Kateřina Krejčová. Women aid workers are thus often better placed to help victims of sexual violence.
Personal experience also plays an important role, as Martina Havlíková, country director at Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia, confirms.
“Women can certainly contribute with different perspectives and personal experiences. Especially when it comes to working with and for women," Havlíková points out. “For me personally, my perception of the needs for mothers and children changed a lot after I became a mother myself,” she adds.
Diversity, empathy and representation
Women humanitarian workers can bring a unique perspective and understanding of local cultures, traditions and social customs. This can help ensure that humanitarian and development assistance is culturally sensitive and appropriate, and that it respects the rights and dignity of women and girls.
“Women bring a unique perspective to humanitarian and development aid. We can understand the problems of the people we help on a personal level,” says our colleague Mijidsuren Chimeddorj, country director at Caritas Czech Republic's office in Mongolia.
Women working in the humanitarian and development aid sector can also serve as role models and inspiration for other women and girls and motivate them to work in this sector. Work teams, and not only humanitarian ones, achieve better results when they are more diverse and inclusive.
“I think women are very resilient, empathetic and capable in general. Of course, each and every one of us is different, but diversity is a great strength, and that is why it is important that women are part of this sector, women of different ages, nationalities, religions and women with different types of disabilities or other special needs,” thinks Martina Havlíková.
It is important that women are involved in decision-making processes in the preparation of humanitarian and development projects, thus contributing to a more comprehensive and effective approach to providing assistance to people in need.
This is also what our colleague Ekaterine Meskhrikadze from Georgia thinks. “It’s important for me to see my small contribution to someone’s happiness or success, or towards the development of my country. The presence of women in the development sector is crucial. Women are empathetic, creative and hardworking and can highly contribute to the development of more than just their own country,” says Meskhrikadze.
And what is important for every aid worker, regardless of whether they are a man or a woman? This is summed up by Onelda Perndreca, acting country director at Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq.
“I consider my work as a humanitarian worker as a service and commitment to others, especially those who are weak and vulnerable,” says Perndreca.
At Caritas Czech Republic, we are proud to have so many women in our team and that we can do our work even better thanks to them.