UN Women's call to prioritise women and girls in rescues sparks controversy

Gender priority in rescues: the UN Women request that has sparked controversy

UN Women has requested that women and girls be given priority in rescue operations. The statement, which could initially be understood as an extension of the traditional "women and children first" protocol, has generated an intense debate on social media and forums, where many question the operational antiestéticasibility and fairness of the measure.

An unrealistic guideline or a necessary one?

Critics point out that, in emergency situations, the priority should be saving as many people as possible regardless of gender. Selective rescues based on gender could slow down operations and increase the overall risk. It is also noted that in contexts such as earthquakes or floods, rescue teams work under pressure and any additional criterion can hamper effectiveness.

On the other hand, supporters of the proposal argue that women and girls tend to be more vulnerable in disasters and that guaranteeing their safety is a matter of human rights. However, the controversy highlights the difficulty of implementing gender guidelines in extreme situations.

The echo on social media: sarcasm and scepticism

The reaction on digital platforms has been mostly sceptical. Many users have joked about the possibility of rescuers having to ask about gender before acting. Others have pointed out that, in practice, emergency teams already prioritise the most seriously injured, regardless of sens.

A debate that will not die down

The UN Women proposal raises a question: should equality policies also apply in the chaos of a rescue? The answer is far from unanimous. What seems clear is that any guideline seeking to impose a gender hierarchy in emergencies clashes with the operational reality on the ground. Meanwhile, the discussion continues, with no consensus in sight.