Assam's recurring flood crisis displaces thousands each year, washing away homes, crops, and livelihoods. While the damage to infrastructure and agriculture is widely reported, a quieter crisis unfolds simultaneously—one that affects women disproportionately in flood-hit regions. From struggling with access to sanitation to carrying the responsibility of entire families in relief camps, the story of women in Assam’s flood zones remains largely underrepresented.
In many flood-prone districts of Assam such as Barpeta, Dhemaji, and Morigaon, women find themselves at the frontlines of survival. When floodwaters rise, it is often the women who ensure children, elderly family members, and livestock are safely evacuated. Once relocated to relief camps, they are tasked with cooking, cleaning, and managing daily life, often in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.
The situation becomes more complex when male members migrate to other regions in search of work due to destroyed crops or lost employment. This leaves many women to shoulder the dual responsibility of caregiving and managing relief logistics, all while facing safety concerns and a lack of privacy in shared shelters. Cases of harassment and exploitation in flood camps, though seldom reported, add another layer to their distress.
Access to healthcare also becomes a pressing issue. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are especially vulnerable, with limited medical facilities available during flood emergencies. Menstrual hygiene remains a neglected topic in relief efforts. The lack of sanitary napkins, private toilets, and awareness creates additional health risks for women and girls.
In interviews with local non-governmental organisations working in the region, many women voiced the same concerns: inadequate government relief for women-specific needs, lack of female medical personnel in camps, and absence of long-term rehabilitation support. While local administrations do provide food, water, and basic supplies, gender-specific requirements often go unaddressed.
Some organisations have stepped in to fill the gap. Grassroots women-led groups are distributing hygiene kits, conducting awareness sessions, and helping women access healthcare. However, these efforts remain limited in scale compared to the magnitude of the disaster.
Experts believe that gender-sensitive disaster management is the need of the hour. Including women in planning and execution of flood response programs can ensure better outcomes for affected communities. Policies must consider gender-specific vulnerabilities and provide targeted relief measures such as safe shelters, access to healthcare, and protection against gender-based violence.
The story of Assam’s floods is not just one of water levels and damaged infrastructure—it is also about resilience. And at the heart of this resilience are the women who, despite the odds, hold their families and communities together. Recognising and addressing their struggles is essential to building a more inclusive and effective disaster response system in Assam and across India.
