“Women are not only victims, they have driving power of changes, exclusive knowledge and skills that have crucial importance for providing solutions and managing risks”. During the last 10 years 3 400 natural disasters took place in the world – hurricanes, floods earthquakes and other natural calamities. More than 700000 people died, more than 1,4 mln were injured and 23mln lost shelter. In general disaster affected 1,5 bln people and women, children and vulnerable people were most affected.

1. Role of women and gender approaches in DRR
Key message
“Women are not only victims, they have driving power of changes, exclusive
knowledge and skills that have crucial importance for providing solutions and
managing risks”.
During the last 10 years 3 400 natural disasters took place in the world – hurricanes,
floods earthquakes and other natural calamities. More than 700000 people died, more
than 1,4 mln were injured and 23mln lost shelter. In general disaster affected 1,5 bln
peopleandwomen,childrenandvulnerablepeopleweremostaffected.
Whyshouldgendersensitiveapproachesbeappliedin disasterriskreduction?
Key message
“Women suffer unequally during disasters due their social role, discrimination and
poverty. Besides, their role and capacities are not sufficiently recognized in disaster
risk reduction process….If we do not put efforts to strengthen the role of women
and girls for increasing the resilience to disasters, the size of disasters and harmful
consequences will be increased.
1.1. Whataretheconsequencesofgenderdifferencesduringdisasters?
Women and men experience natural disasters in different ways and very often women
are more unprotected. This fact is proved by statistical data about the people affected
by natural disasters all over the world, as well as is confirmed in several international
researches. Gender differences are present in all the stages, staring from facing the risk,
1.

2. risk perception, physical and psychological consequences and disasters resilience to
responseandrecovery.
Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction (GAR15) promulgated in 2015
approved that women in the whole world are more exposed to negative impacts of
natural disasters and hazards than men. Women are the main victims of such hazards
as wars, natural disasters, fatal diseases, epidemics. In general, women and children die
14timesmorecomparedtomen.
… In 2004 Aceh tsunami /Indonesia/ 75% of victims were women. According to the
assessment of International Meteorological Organization, in 1991 during disasters
caused by cyclones, 140 thousand people died out of which 90 % were women. This is
partially explained by the fact that the women where at home without transport and
communicationmeans.
This and similar data are convincing facts to ensure gender sensitivity of the strategies
fordisasterriskreduction,thussavingthousandoflives.
Figuresandfacts
Thenumberofvictimscouldbeless
In 1970, before creation of disaster warning systems and operation of satellites to
follow the storms, Bhola devastating cyclone killed 300 thousand people in
Bangladesh. One of shocking facts about this storm is that the number of women
victims 14 times exceeded men victims. After 37 years Sidr cyclone with roughly the
same strength killed 3 500 people and the ratio of killed women and men reduced up to
5:1. Between the period of these two hazards Bangladesh became an example for
disaster preparedness. One of the most effective strategies was the involvement of
womenin theprocess.
1.2. What are the main reasons of gender differences and how are they
displayedin disastersituations?
Key message
“Researches made in 141 countries revealed that the main reason that women are
more affected by natural disasters than men is explained by their unequal social and
economic conditions. In the countries where women and men have high social and
economic status they equally suffer from hazards. Women are more exposed to
natural hazards in the countries with women low social and economic status”.
Any expression of inequality, including gender, increases vulnerability to natural
hazards. Expression of gender differences during prevention, rescue activities and
in rehabilitation stage is explained by unequal status of men and women in
different spheres of life. This is proved by the assessments and observations made
as a result different studies of natural hazards that revealed the reasons of gender
differences and their consequences.
Figures and facts
Thewomencouldsurvive,but…
In October 1955 after heavy rains Tbilisi and its low lying areas were flooded. In
this part of the city there were 3 basement bath-houses with oriental washing
chambers built more than hundred years ago …Because of violent increase of water
level in Kura river (up to 3 meters) the bath-houses were flooded. The waters
penetrated into the washing chambers through piping system and a part of the
people taking bath in the washing chambers could not leave the premises. A lot of
women died. By morning 70 bodies were retrieved, including 4 men and 5 children,
the rest were women. According to the witnesses, the women could manage ran

3. outside naked. “They could survive if immediately forgot about inherited
conception of honor and shame hammered in their subliminal consciousness. And
they made their choice, they stayed downstairs and died”.
Women have their responsibility spheres - care
about children and elders, housekeeping activities which acquire specific
characteristic during hazards.
: Women have less access to the assets, financial and material
resources. They have less business skills, access to the loans, smaller salaries causing
additional difficulties in rehabilitation phase. Poor people are more affected by
disasters and among poors women prevail. Women-headed households are more
vulnerable.
Figuresandfacts
Women –headed households in Armenia constitute 32.2%
-Poverty level of women-headed households is higher (33.4%) compared to men-
headed households (32.0%).
- 38.3% of women-headed families with children are poor, 5.2%-extremely poor,
which is two times higher from average indicator.
-In the families with one or two disabled children the risk of extreme poverty is
higher, 35.4% of such families are poor and 11.0% extremely poor
Pregnant and feeding women need specific food. The
researches show deterioration of reproductive health of women after disasters, e.g. in
Israel after the earthquake the number of child deliveries gave a jump during 48 hours
due to mass early deliveries. Woman may be less able to evacuate to a safe place
following the hazard because they are pregnant or caring for children and less mobile
dependents. Their exposure, and that of their dependents, may be much greater than
otherswhoareabletoleavehigh-riskareas.
Gender distribution of works:
Economic context
Reproductive function:
.
Figures and facts
Women in Nepal in post disaster situation
After the violent earthquake of 2015 in Nepal, a lot of women are involved in
rehabilitation works. Many Nepali men work outside the country leaving their wives
alone to take care of children and elders. These women are particularly vulnerable and
as experience shows their needs are often ignored especially in extreme situations.
After the earthquake a lot of people live in the camps or in the open air which increase
the risk of diseases, as well as provide favorable conditions for violence, including
sexual violence. Without safe shelters women and girls are particularly vulnerable.
Elementary hygiene and health facilities are strictly limited, the hospitals are
overloaded.Thisisaspecificchallengeforwomenandgirlswhichisoftenignored.
Women's World Foundation
Lessons learnt from disasters show that incorporation of gender issues in disaster
risk management should be started from addressing social and economic needs and
priorities of women, the reasons of their low status, as well as the issues for long
and sustainable development.
Though gender inequalities embodied in everyday life put girls and women at
special risk and they become more vulnerable during disasters, the tendency to see
the women only as victims is wrong and unfair as they have huge potential for
disaster risk reduction and management.
2. Howaregenderissuesaddressedin internationaldocuments?
Keymessage
“Genderperspectivesshouldbeintegratedintoall disasterriskmanagement
policies, plans and decision-making processes, including those related to risk

4. assessment,earlywarning,informationmanagement,andeducationandtraining”.
Gender aspects of disasters appeared in the focus of attention of international
community in the 90is of 20 century after declaring International Decade of Natural
DisasterReduction.
The strategy and action plan adopted in Yokohama World Conference on Disaster
Risk Reduction (1994) emphasized the necessity of increasing community
participationandwomenpowersatall thestagesofdisastermanagementprograms.
Since 1995 all the basic documents relating to women problems addressed gender
issues in the disaster risk reduction context.
One of 12 problematic spheres of Beijing Plan of Action /1995/ is “Women and the
environment” that considered as a strategic objective active involvement of women in
environmental decision-making at all levels. The governments, regional and
international organizations and NGOs were assigned to study the impact of disasters
on women, develop assessment mechanisms, inform them and enhance the role of
womenin disasterpreventionprocess.
In 2008 Women's Global Forum devoted to gender, climate change and disaster risk
reduction issues adopted one more strategic document- Manila Declaration. The
International Conference on Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction held in China in
2009 approved “Beijing international action plan considering gender perspectives in
DRR” stating 9 actions to be carried out by 2015.
The necessity of introducing gender approaches is highlighted in all global disaster
risk reduction documents- Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 /2005/ and
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 .
Hyogo Framework for Action
The results of introducing gender approaches are not sufficient
The reports on implementing Hyogo Framework for Action show that during
reporting period of 2009-2011, 62 countries out of 70 did not provide information
about vulnerability and gender disaggregation issues. Only 26% and 30% submitted
information about significant and sustainable development correspondingly in 2011
and 2013. The results of monitoring, midterm revision and 'Views from the Front Line'
reportsdonotadequatelyaddressgenderaspectsduringHFA implementation.
3. What have been already done at national level?
Keymessage
“The main objective of risk assessment is to ensure security for all the representatives
of society; hence it is necessary to consider the role of women and men and the level of
theirpreparedness”.
Introduction of gender approaches in the disaster risk reduction policy started by
formation of gender groups within the frame of “Disaster risk reduction national
platform” foundation (DRRNP), as well as through cooperation with DRRNP, RA
Ministry of Emergency Situations and its 5 agencies, UNDP “Disaster preparedness
and risk reduction national capacities” project. In 2011, practical handbook “Gender
guidance on disaster risk reduction” was developed under this project attempting to
introduce gender sensitive policy in DRR.
These actions are in harmony with Hyogo Framework for Action, as well as with
goals and objectives of the Republic of Armenia Gender Policy Strategic Program
2011-2015 for ensuring gender guidance and involvement of women in the
emergency situation management system.

5. Republic of Armenia Disaster Risk Reduction National Strategy adopted in 2012 was
one of the first examples of introducing gender approaches in DRR. The document
says: “The main objective of risk assessment is to ensure security for all the
representatives of society; hence it is necessary to consider the role of women and men
and the level of their preparedness. One of the main objectives of introducing gender
sensitive polices is encouragement of women participation and their involvement in
thedecision-makingsystemandpositions”
the consequences of disaster
After severe flood in the capital of Georgia on June 13 and 14 of 2015, Women
Foundation started fundraising campaign with a slogan “Women for assistance to
Tbilisi”. The goal of this campaign was to combine the resources for meeting urgent
needs and improving efficiency of rehabilitation works to recover from the
consequences of violent flood.
The Foundation will provide small grants to the women initiatives to introduce
sustainable efficient mechanisms for facilitating the recovery from flood impacts.
This includes psychological, social, health and legal support, creation of relevant
conditions for those suffered from flood, as well as environmental activities and
support to the survived animals of Tbilisi zoo
Visible and nonvisible power of resilience
The heroes of disaster risk reduction international day were women and girls. “We
:
Best practice
Georgian women against
.
Bestpractice
Women and girls:
want women to respond immediately during emergencies instead of waiting for
men” –this was the main message of the activity held in the yard of Crisis
Management State Academy at the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations. UN
Children's Fund, Save the Children, World Vision and “Disaster risk reduction
national platform” foundation were among the organizers
According to the training scenario the entries and staircases of the educational
institution were ruined. Among others several girls remained inside, there were
also some injured. The rescue team arrived to the place. Listening to their
instructions, the girls should slide down by rope from the fourth floor. Another
group of girls is waiting to provide medical assistance to the injured. The actions of
the girls showed that they can fulfill the task outstandingly, respond to hazard and
help the affected. Viktoria Poghosyan is 3 year student of Crisis Management State
Academy. She was a bit excited while sliding down by the rope, hit the wall for
several times. She says that she likes her profession and her parents were not
against to her choice. The vice president of the academy is also a woman, 30-40
percent of the students are girls. The students with high academic achievements are
offered contracts to work in the qualified rescue teams.
.
rd
“It is very important for
women to take correct actions in emergencies. Women tad enrooted thinking that a
knight in shining armor will arrive and save them and they wait. It is a very dangerous
approach especially in the rural areas where men usually work outside their place of
residence. We want women to respond immediately instead of waiting” says the
representative of UN Children's Fund Tigran Tovmasyan reminding that the best
result can be achieved when people themselves take appropriate actions before arrival
of rescue team.

6. 4. W
Key message
Gender is a pivotal factor in disaster risk management activities
.
Special efforts
Carry out
.
hat should be done in the future?
“ ”
Show innovative approach to women participation issue
For ensuring gender sensitivity of disaster risk reduction policy it is necessary to
consider the gender component as an integral part to development processes instead
of deeming it as an additional aspect. This is proved by the analyses of Hyogo
Framework for Action results according to which gender issue in disaster risk
reduction policies has a central and not secondary role Innovative approaches are
required to provide possibilities for actual enhancing of the role and participation of
women. These innovative approaches should not be limited only by vulnerability
reduction and are supposed to use women potential in sustainable development
processes and for overcoming of the obstacles limiting women possibilities. Hence,
social, political and economic changes are required to reduce disaster risks and
vulnerability of communities.
Preconditions ensuring gender approach efficiency in the disaster risk management
process:
Provide gender sensitivity and gender analyses trainings in all the
implemented programs. This will approve gender sensitivity and help developing
gender sensitive working plans at local level.
are required from the disaster management researchers,
planners and policy developers for creating gender disaggregated database to be
used for information collection and analyses, design of distaer risk management
programs, monitoring and assessment.
women leadership promoting programs, raise women
participation in decision making processes, including those relating to distaer risk
reduction
·
·
·
Best practice
. For sharing the knowledge and materials Oxfam cooperates
withrelevantministriesandotherkeyfactorssuchaslocalandinternationalNGOs
/
.
.
Best practice
plans
“Women volunteer group provides benefit to the community”
Introduction of gender issues in DRR
Women are the mind and heart of all Oxfam initiatives. This is the reason that Oxfam
together with its partners include gender equality and DRR gender issues in the
policies and actions at all levels. By the initiative of Oxfam, within the frame of DRR
national platform, a |Gender Thematic Group was founded to effect the
aforementioned goals
.
The director of National Platform Movses Poghosyan stated that “Oxfam works on
gender issues at national level, as well as tries to replicate all positive changes at local
level. This is important, as in this level the authorities are often unaware about
numerousgenderissues”
Sharing of knowledge and best practice with communities is a part of Oxfam
accomplishments to incorporate gender issues in regional rescue activities. In Vayots
Dzor region voluntary rescue teams have been founded and are operating now. The
teams have women members that take active participation in discussions about
emergenciesanddisastersandprovidesolutions
Voluntary team of women brings special benefit to the community, team members
have knowledge and skills that contribute to the safety of their community. Volunteer
Armenuhi Tsaturan says: “We actively participate in different actions, e.g. we saved a
childwhofell downintothepit nexttoschoolandprovidehimfirstassistance
“Center is a good platform for sharing knowledge we have already learnt”
Oxfam Georgia together with its partners “Black Sea Eco Academy” and “Rural
Communities Development Agency” DRR centers pursues activities directed at
awareness raising, communication at emergences, first aid, risk and hazard mapping,
involvement of men and women in DRR processes, CCA technologies, development of
school,familycommunitysafety .

7. Suliko Zoidze from Chvana community who is one the volunteers trained in the
center says: “This is a place where we can teach new program members, as well as other
interested community representatives, young people and women due to which they
can better protect their families and neighbors. The center is a good platform to share
withotherswhatyouhavelearnt
At present, the DRR centers organize meetings with authorities and community
members and plan joint initiatives and activities, which will multiply the number of
ruralpopulationbenefitedfromtheresultsofmutualwork
Message to the governments, NGOs and other stakeholders
- Make gender analyses of all the polices and strategies directed at distaer risk
reduction, climate change, poverty reduction, including community
development programs;
- Develop the capacities of communities and national institutions for
ensuring gender guidance of national and local development programs;
- Ensure equal participation of men and women in the systems of quick
responding to national hazards;
- Maintain gender disaggregated statistics about disaster consequences,
vulnerability, risks, as well as assess women and men capacities, develop
gender sensitive indicators for monitoring;
- Raise the awareness level of society and mass media about gender
differences during disaster risk reduction and management, including the
needs, vulnerability and capacities of women and men;
- Assist research institutions to make studies about disaster risk reduction,
climate change adaptation, poverty reduction gender sensitive policies and
programs;
- Assist introduce financial risk assessment gender sensitive mechanisms,
.
.
to
including risk insurance and reinsurance
- Ensure equal participation of men and women in responding to hazards,
humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation works through capacity
development and trainings;
- Enhance women participation in disaster prevention activities ensuring
equal opportunities for men and women;
- Boost education of women in specialized disaster risk reduction educational
establishments (Crisis Management State Academy
women participation in quick response and volunteer groups;
1. Have wider thinking
All risk prevention, response and post-disaster recovery spheres should be guided
by gender equity and risk reduction principles.
2. Collect facts
Addressing of gender issues cannot have voluntary or isolated character. It is
mandatory for guiding humanitarian assistance and planning full and fair
rehabilitation works. Any disaster initiative cannot be neutral to gender issues.
3. Work with women at local level
Community women organizations have valuable knowledge, information,
experience, connections and resources, which are crucially important for
responding to disasters. It is necessary to work with women community
groups and develop their capacities.
;
);
- Boost
- Disseminate best practice of introducing gender approaches in risk
management local models.
Six principles to introduce gender approaches in DRR

8. 4. Overcome stereotypes
All the initiatives should be based on knowledge rather than false and general ideas
andshouldbeconsideredin cultural,political, genderdifferencecontexts.
5. Do not ignore human rights
Demonstrate human rights protection approach. Women and men should be
provided with equal conditions necessary for enjoying basic human rights and
simply for survival given that during emergencies women and girls are exposed to
additional risks, including sexual abuse, rape and other threats.
6. Respect and develop women capacities
Avoid overloading and increasing the responsibilities of women who are already
burdened with work, ensure the care of children, provide transport and other
supporting facilities, which will enable women to participate in future resilience
planning activities. Encourage women who wish to cooperate with organizations
dealing with disaster issues.