New Study Examines Effects of Hurricane Katrina on Women
Funded by Soroptimist International of the Americas and researched by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, “Women in the Wake of the Storm” finds increased vulnerabilities for women

April 29, 2008
Contant: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director, 215-893-9000 x 129
Kamali Brooks, Public Relations Manager, 215-893-9000 x 130

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Soroptimist International of the Americas, a volunteer organization for business and professional women that works to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, recently funded a research study titled Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Soroptimist contributed almost $35,000 to underwrite the study, which was released on April 11 at the 2008 Economic Justice Summit in Atlanta, Ga., and can be viewed on Soroptimist’s website at: < http://www.soroptimist.org/whatwedo/programs.html#DisasterReliefFund>.

Researched by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington, D.C., the study was based on interviews held with a diverse group of women from around the Gulf Coast to expose their experiences—much different from men—during and after Hurricane Katrina.

"There are complex aspects of disasters that don't apply equally to women and men, including the reconstruction process following disaster," said Soroptimist's Executive Director Leigh Wintz. "Soroptimist funded IWPR's study to ensure that those responsible for policy, planning and relief distribution understand the differences between what women and men need during and after disasters."

The report states that women faced and continue to face inequitable conditions and discrimination in the lingering aftermath of the hurricane. Women are at an increased risk of exposure to sexual assault and domestic violence. They also encounter greater economic hurdles when rebuilding their lives after a disaster, including Hurricane Katrina.

“The women of New Orleans have been abandoned, not only in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but still today—over two years later—by the dearth of adequate policy response to their lingering severe needs,” said report author, Dr. Avis A. Jones-DeWeever, Director of the Research, Public Policy and Information Center, National Council of Negro Women. “The women deserve a chance to rebuild their homes and their lives, to live in a place free of the contact threat of physical or sexual abuse, and have fair and equal access to jobs that offer decent wages.”

In addition to funding the study, Soroptimist donated $40,000 to two agencies assisting women in the Gulf Coast. The SARA Center, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, received $20,000 to assist with their clients' legal and transportation needs. Another $20,000 went to the New Orleans Women's Health Clinic, a new health care clinic for low-income women that is using the grant to help pay for clinic staff. These grants, made possible by donations from Soroptimist clubs and members around the world, bring Soroptimist’s total donations for the 2005 Gulf Coast disaster to more than $100,000.

Soroptimist has long been concerned about the disproportionate effects of disasters on women and girls. The organization maintains a disaster relief fund that supports relief work benefiting women and girls in areas affected by natural disasters or acts of war. Soroptimist also provides disaster relief grants to its clubs—ranging from $1,000 to $20,000—to enable clubs to assist women in their local communities who have been victims of disasters. During the 2007-2008 year, Soroptimist funded six projects local projects for a total of $87,000. Projects included providing women with food, clothing and other immediate necessities after floods in Quito, Ecuador; providing women and girls with needed medications, clothing and financial aid to repair their houses, which were destroyed by a fire that devastated a Philippines community; and providing 500 women and their families with enough food for 10 days after an earthquake in Trujillo, Peru.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Soroptimist programs include the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, which provide cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their lives with the help of education and training. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed through this award-winning program. Soroptimist also sponsors the Live Your Dream campaign in recognition of the power of women and their dreams. Visit the campaign's online home at: <LiveYourDreamCampaign.org>. A 501(c)(3) organization, Soroptimist is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Seal of Excellence. For more information on how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit <Soroptimist.org>.

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