A Rapid Gender Analysis of the Beirut Port Explosion: An Intersectional Examination

This joint rapid gender analysis (RGA) of the Beirut port explosion assesses how diverse women, men, girls, boys, and gender minorities were affected by the events of August 4, with a close look at the specific impact on older, disabled, refugee, migrant, and LBQT (lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans) women. The assessment found that of the affected households living in the explosion radius, and 8% were older women living alone, and 51% self-identified as female-headed who have increased vulnerabilities around economic stability and risks of gender-based violence. Approximately 5% reported family members who were pregnant or lactating and whose access to continuous reproductive and health services have been disrupted. According to initial estimates, men were more likely to die from the explosion, while women were more likely to be injured. The impact of the explosion has already seen in a reduction in employment opportunities for women; female headed households were less likely than male headed households to report members generating income in the weeks after the explosion. Risks of sexual and gender-based violence increased, due to multiple families living in crowded settings and the lack of public streetlights. Understanding the gender specific nature of intersectional risks and taking into account voices and demands from feminist, women’s rights, and LGBTIQ+ actors in Lebanon is critical to avoiding harm and facilitating equitable and empowering humanitarian response and recovery interventions to the Beirut port explosion.