The handbook provides practical guidance to policymakers, response staff of the Disaster Management Centre and community groups to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor, and evaluate essential actions for a gender equitable disaster response. The book contributes to the implementation of the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, initiated by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment.

The handbook was created by the Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka with the technical assistance of the United Nations Population Fund and the financial support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.