By Kalpesh Prajapati, AIDMI, India

Disaster displacement often pushes families into relief camps designed primarily for speed and logistical efficiency. Yet without careful planning, these shelters can expose women and girls to harassment, abuse, and insecurity. Making humanitarian shelters safe requires integrating gender-based violence (GBV) prevention into emergency response planning.

First, gender-sensitive camp design must be prioritised. Camp layouts should include well-lit pathways, clearly marked entry and exit points, and safe spatial arrangements that reduce isolated or poorly monitored areas where violence may occur.

Second, safe and separate sanitation facilities are essential. Toilets and bathing areas must be lockable, adequately lit, and located close to women’s sleeping areas to reduce risks during night-time movement.

Third, confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms should be established so that women and girls can report harassment or violence without fear of stigma or retaliation. These systems must link survivors to medical, psychosocial, and legal support.

Fourth, women’s participation in camp management and safety audits can help identify risk areas and shape practical solutions based on lived experiences.

Finally, training humanitarian responders and camp managers on GBV risks and survivor-centred approaches is crucial. When shelters are designed with safety, dignity, and accountability in mind, relief camps can become spaces of protection rather than places of fear during displacement.