Women, girls, boys and men, different needs, equal opportunities: IASC gender handbook in humanitarian action

This handbook sets forth standards for the integration of gender issues from the outset of a new complex emergency or disaster, so that humanitarian services provided neither exacerbate nor inadvertently put people at risk; reach their target audience; and have maximum positive impact. Prepared by members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), this handbook aims to provide actors in the field with guidance on gender analysis, planning and actions to ensure that the needs, contributions and capacities of women, girls, boys and men are considered in all aspects of humanitarian response.

It also offers checklists to assist in monitoring gender equality programming. The guidelines focus on major cross-cutting issues and areas of work in the early response phase of emergencies. The handbook is also a useful tool to make sure gender issues are included in needs assessments, contingency planning and evaluations.