By Mihir R. Bhatt, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India

Ending gender-based violence (GBV) in disaster contexts requires moving from recognition to action and it is possible to do so by 2030. As disasters become more frequent and intense across the Asia-Pacific region, disaster risk reduction must evolve to address not only physical hazards but also the social risks that emerge during crises. Evidence from humanitarian practice shows that violence often increases when livelihoods collapse, displacement occurs, and protection systems weaken. Preventing GBV, therefore, requires embedding protection, dignity, and safety within every stage of disaster governance—from preparedness and early warning to recovery and climate adaptation.

By 2030, disaster and climate resilience strategies must explicitly recognise GBV as a core disaster risk. Policies and risk assessments should incorporate gender-sensitive data and monitoring systems that make violence visible in disaster contexts. Early warning and anticipatory action frameworks should integrate protection measures such as safe evacuation routes, secure shelters, adequate lighting, and accessible reporting mechanisms. Preparedness that includes these safeguards can reduce risks before emergencies escalate.

Economic security must also be treated as a protection strategy. Livelihood recovery programmes that support women’s work, income stability, and access to resources can reduce the economic stress that often fuels violence after disasters. Recovery planning should therefore integrate safety considerations into housing reconstruction, labour systems, and social protection schemes.

Equally important is strengthening the leadership and participation of women, survivors, and local organisations in disaster governance. When affected communities shape policies and preparedness systems, disaster risk reduction becomes more responsive to real safety concerns and local knowledge. By embedding these actions into disaster risk reduction and climate resilience efforts, governments and institutions can ensure that resilience by 2030 protects not only infrastructure and economies but also the dignity, safety, and rights of women and girls now and everywhere.