Purpose

This document highlights some practical ways in which gender concerns can be incorporated and articulated in shelter programming.

Overview

Assessments: Data on affected populations should be broken down by age, sex and other relevant factors (for example, people with disabilities, sexual orientation).

Site and settlement planning: Planning staff should have an understanding of gender, diversity and cultural issues.

Shelter design: Basic knowledge on how a shelter is to be used (for example, kitchen and hygiene needs are more likely to be understood by women, given their domestic role and role as primary caregivers in many cultures).

Shelter construction and material supply: When involving women in shelter activities, make sure that it is not negatively impacting their existing workload, domestic responsibilities and childcare.

NFI allocation and distribution: Programmes must be regularly reviewed to ensure that gender needs are being met and necessary changes made as required.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluation staff should have an understanding of gender and diversity and how shelter interventions have attempted to address these issues.

Usage: Guidance for project implementation

Audiences: Technical staff; Gender and diversity practitioners

Reference: Global Shelter Cluster (Marc 2010). Guidance on Mainstreaming Gender and Diversity in Shelter Programmes. Pp.1-7. Available from: https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/docs/4_3_sc_gender_and_diversity_guidance_final_25_october_2013_1.pdf  [Accessed: 21st September 2016]