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Activists warn of tsunami survivor rapes

Women activists on Monday urged Sri Lankan authorities to step up protection for tsunami survivors amid unconfirmed reports some had been molested or even gang raped at refugee shelters. "We have received reports of incidents of rape, gang rape, molestation and physical abuse of women and girls in the course of unsupervised rescue operations and while resident in temporary shelters," it said in a statement.

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/401686.htm

(Added: Thu Jan 06 2005   Modified: Fri Mar 11 2005   Hits: 159)

The Tsunami exacerbates Dalit women's sufferings from caste discrimination

Dalits are the lowest caste people in India , the so-called untouchables. Most Dalit villages in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, from Tiruvallur to Nagapattinam, have been affected by the tsunami. Families who lost their houses are not eligible for housing assistance as for generations they lived on their land without land titles. Over a million Dalit survivors of the tsunami have been living as refugees in 'warehouse' type temporary shelters set up near graveyards or garbage dumps without sanitation and/or electricity. The relief supplies are handed to men who spend the money on alcohol leading to increased domestic violence. Even the tsunami failed to wash away caste discrimination in the Indian society. (Fatima Burnad, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development)

http://www.apwld.org/tsunami_dalitwomen.htm

(Added: Thu Jun 08 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 207)

The tsunami's impact on women [PDF 126.922KB]

Oxfam International, March 2005. This briefing looks at the impact of the tsunami in Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka, and in particular at how it has affected women. It concludes with some recommendations about how we can start addressing the problems raised.

http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/oibn_the%20tsunami%5C%27s%20impact%20on%20women.pdf

(Added: Tue Mar 29 2005   Hits: 217)

Women's Groups appeal for an inclusive framework for disaster response

A collective of women's rights groups who have conducted a series of fact-finding missions in the tsunami-affected areas over the past week wishes to bring to public attention serious issues concerning the safety and wellbeing of women which have not been addressed so far in relief efforts... The heightened vulnerability of people in these areas due to the destruction of communication lines and the large-scale mass displacement and death of people has created situations in which women and girls become more likely to encounter violence. In particular, we have received reports of incidents of rape, gang rape, molestation, and physical abuse of women and girls in the course of unsupervised rescue operations and while resident in temporary shelters, particularly in the south.

http://tsunamihelpsrilanka.blogspot.com/2005/01/press-release-womens-groups-appeal-for.html

(Added: Thu Jan 06 2005   Modified: Fri Mar 11 2005   Hits: 119)

Women's organisations in Sri Lanka unite (Audio)

BBC, 05 January 2005. The Boxing Day tsunami has prompted women's organisations in Sri Lanka to come together under an umbrella organisation called the Tsunami Women's Fund. Visaka Dharmadasa, a member of the Tsunami Women's Fund, talks to Jenni about the relief effort and why she feels it is important for Sri Lankan women to be involved in rebuilding the devastated areas of Sri Lanka.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_01_wed_03.shtml

(Added: Thu Jan 13 2005   Modified: Fri Mar 11 2005   Hits: 148)