title: How sex- and age-disaggregated data and gender and generational analyses can improve humanitarian response.
abstract: Humanitarian aid remains largely driven by anecdote rather than by evidence. The contemporary humanitarian system has significant weaknesses with regard to data collection, analysis, and action at all stages of response to crises involving armed conflict or natural disaster. This paper argues that humanitarian actors can best determine and respond to vulnerabilities and needs if they use sex- and age-disaggregated data (SADD) and gender and generational analyses to help shape their assessments of crises-affected populations. Through case studies, the paper shows how gaps in information on sex and age limit the effectiveness of humanitarian response in all phases of a crisis. The case studies serve to show how proper collection, use, and analysis of SADD enable operational agencies to deliver assistance more effectively and efficiently. The evidence suggests that the employment of SADD and gender and generational analyses assists in saving lives and livelihoods in a crisis.
authors.affiliation: Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Somerville, MA 02144, United States. dyan.mazurana@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Dyan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazurana
authors.forename: Prisca
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benelli
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000533:Altruism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: age; agriculture/food security; and hygiene; armed conflict; education; emergency shelter; gender; gender and generational analyses; health; humanitarian assessment; humanitarian response; methods; natural disaster; protection; sanitation; sex- and age-disaggregated data; water