Gendered vulnerabilities and sexual violence: Intersecting inequalities during the 2024 floods in Porto Alegre, Brazil

In May 2024, severe floods affected 94 % of the counties in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, displacing 615,000 people and creating a significant population of climate refugees. This article examines the gendered vulnerabilities faced by women during this extreme weather event, particularly focusing on the experiences of women in improvised emergency shelters. The study reveals that women were disproportionately affected by harassment and sexual violence, necessitating the creation of gender-segregated shelters for protection. Additionally, the findings highlight that racial minorities and low-income groups were disproportionately impacted due to pre-existing social and economic inequalities, exacerbating their vulnerabilities during the disaster. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research analyzes reports from news outlets and social media, emphasizing the importance of examining how media framings shape public understanding of gender-based violence in disaster contexts. Contextual demographic data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) is also used to situate these vulnerabilities within broader patterns of structural inequality. This study advocates for an intersectional approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies that acknowledges the interplay of these vulnerabilities. By emphasizing the need for feminist-informed, inclusive DRR strategies, the research contributes to the discourse on gender and climate change, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 (gender equality), 10 (reduced inequalities), and 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions). This article offers an original contribution by combining intersectional feminist theory with media discourse analysis to examine how gender-based violence is both experienced and represented in the context of a major climate disaster in Brazil. The article offers policy recommendations aimed at enhancing gender and racial equity in disaster response and resilience planning.