Two years after the storm, international women's organization still assisting women survivors and ensuring their special needs are met

July 19, 2007
Contact: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director
215-893-9000 x129

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Long after hurricane Katrina has stopped making headlines, Soroptimist International of the Americas—an international volunteer organization for business and professional women—continues to focus on the unmet needs of women affected by the devastating disaster.

Soroptimist comprises approximately 95,000 members in more than 120 countries and territories worldwide who contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women and girls. Recognizing that women suffer disproportionately before, during and after disasters, the Philadelphia-based organization funded a research project conducted by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR). The study, titled "Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast," was recently released at a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C.

"Most people generally assume that all people are equally vulnerable in times of disaster—after all, storms don't discriminate," said Avis Jones-DeWeever, director of poverty, education, and social justice programs at IWPR. "But our research suggests that even here, in a nation of overwhelming wealth, women face many of the same vulnerabilities that their counterparts do around the world who oftentimes find themselves in much less affluent surroundings."

The study, which is based on a series of interviews held with diverse women from throughout the Gulf Coast, revealed that women faced and continue to confront special challenges to their health, safety, and economic wellbeing in the lingering aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The study found that women were at an increased risk of exposure to sexual assault and domestic violence, and that they encounter greater economic hurdles when rebuilding their lives.

"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 at the congressional briefing. "We funded IWPR's recent study to ensure that those responsible for policy, planning and relief distribution understand the differences between what men need and what women need during and after disasters."

As a result of the study's findings, Soroptimist has made it a priority to continue its Katrina relief efforts. In addition to the $34,500 contribution to fund the IWPR study, the organization recently donated an additional $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. The Center will use the grant 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 will use the grant to help pay for clinic staff. These grants, made possible by donations from Soroptimist clubs and members around the world, will bring the organization's total donations for the 2005 Gulf Coast disaster to more than $100,000.

"We are proud of our disaster relief efforts on behalf of women and girls," added Wintz. "In particular, we hope the results of the IWPR study will set the course for the future. It is a Soroptimist priority that when another disaster strikes—and we know one will—women's special needs are considered, planned for and met."

To access the executive summary of the IWPR study, "Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast," visit
http://www.soroptimist.org/SIA/Content/NavigationMenu/
AboutUs/Programs/DisasterRelief/default.htm. For more information about women and disasters, read Soroptimist's exclusive white paper "Reaching Out to Women When Disaster Strikes."

Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations' Seal of Excellence. The Women's Opportunity Awards program, which provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional education and training, is Soroptimist's major project. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit www.soroptimist.org.

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