Based on qualitative information collected from primary and secondary sources, this case study looks at gender equality in laws and policies and the issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the context of disasters in Ecuador. It focuses on the earthquake of April 16, 2016, that profoundly affected the coastal provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas. The report examines the scope and effectiveness of laws and policies related to the prevention, response and sanctioning of SGBV, both in normal times and during disasters, as well as the gender-sensitivity of national policies for disaster risk management.
