Charity group Oxfam International has said the majority of those killed by the Dec. 26 Asian tsunami were women.
Figures from India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka suggested that in some areas, four times as many women as men were killed by the disaster.
The charity said women were worst-hit because they were waiting for fishermen, at home looking after children, or bathing in the ocean at the time.
Oxfam Policy Director Becky Buell said the tsunami had dealt a "crushing blow" to both women and men.
"This disproportionate impact will lead to problems for years to come unless everyone working on the aid effort addresses the issue now."
She said there are already reports of rapes, harassment and forced marriages coming from emergency camps around the region.
She urged people to "wake up" to the issue and ensure "protection, inclusion and empowerment" of female survivors.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
