The persisting gender differences are aggravated during disaster situations, resulting in additional hindrances for females while accessing aid and relief. It is pertinent to acknowledge that the patriarchal culture and societal norms continue to govern the household dynamics, even in relief camps. For instance, females are usually under-represented, and male heads of family are often prioritised while receiving aid.

An aid distributor shared that if one bed or mosquito net is available, it is claimed by the male household members.

As a result, the female’s population chances of survival are inevitably lowered; they are more vulnerable to waterborne diseases, dehydration, malnutrition, and other health problems as they have limited access to lifesaving resources. 

A significant reason for the under-representation of females in relief operations and the lack of gender-sensitive relief is the gender bias in data collection. Often, families are registered under the male head of the family’s name, who is contacted to access information for needs assessments or aid distribution. Consequently, females’ specific needs will not be highlighted, as naturally, males tend to communicate issues with respect to their own gender. Moreover, any assets or legal identification documentation are usually registered under the male’s name, creating additional challenges for widowed or divorced women in accessing aid. This also means that women are not considered crucial stakeholders in decision-making during resource management, even though traditionally, women are largely responsible for managing household affairs and can hence sustainably optimise resources.