This paper outlines a framework for analyzing the gender dimensions of risk and its effects on the outcomes of individuals, households, and various vulnerable groups. The paper proceeds by first documenting, based on available empirical evidence, the gender disaggregated impact of shocks. Results from the studies reviewed lead to the following conclusions:

- Current evidence suggests that shocks can lead to differences in outcomes by gender.

- The most important factor that mitigates against adverse shocks is household level assets (the evidence shows that differences in gender outcomes are largest for the poorest households).

- Men and women may be exposed to different risks or may experience varying degrees of vulnerability; these differences in vulnerability are strongly influenced by differences in asset ownership.

- Gender roles and social norms determine whose labor is used as a buffer against shocks.

Given these results, and the review of gender issues specific to a subgroup of social protection programs (namely, safety nets, pensions, and unemployment programs), the paper proceeds to outline specific steps that can be taken to incorporate gender considerations in the design of these programs.