WOMEN

AND
DISASTER
GELC 112
ASPREC, LACSINA, SAN
BUENAVENTURA
Natural disasters are increasingly becoming part of the people’s realities worldwide
– and a critical global and national concern intersecting issues of food and
human security, displacement and forced migration, economic development,
environmental protection and management, among others.
What is the current
situation?
● Case studies on post-disaster
communities shows that women are
more susceptible to the effects
of a tragedy

● There is an increased risk of

sexual and other gender-based
violence against women and girls
in times of disaster.

● Women bear the burden of food

insecurity in times of natural
disasters
 What are the demographics of people in that sector?
REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN
IN DECISION - MAKING
● Gender roles of women in daily life range ● Given their gender roles, they know
from domestic works, caregiving, community better what are experienced and needed by
social initiatives, serve as officials in women, therefore the existence of women
the governments and other organizations, in decision making, particularly in the
up to decision making in different context of gender integration into
institutions. In the context of disaster, disaster management is crucial.
on one hand women with other vulnerable ● The higher their representation, the more
groups (children, elderly and disabled) gender responsive the decision will be
are the most affected. made.
● On the other hand, they also have
capacities in managing disaster as they
know better the needs of majority of the
survivor (Women, children, the elderly and
disabled represent 73% of population).
 REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN
IN DECISION - MAKING
● Based on the National Policy of the Philippines, integration of gender into strategic
policy is not always followed systematically by the lower policy, management and
operational policy. This was what has happened.

● The lack of policy link is due to the lack of gender mainstreaming efforts in the
routine development approach of various sectors. Some reasons for this are: (a)
misconception in understanding gender concept for gender is understood as woman; (b)
lack of understanding on the need of gender dimension in disaster management as natural
disaster is perceived to hit everybody, regardless sex, age, social status, etc.; (c)
Disaster management is considered as “for every body”, (d) Technically, gender analysis,
gender integration and gender mainstreaming are relatively new in practice. They are
only discussed and passing in sectors related to development planning, but without
specific action and skills.
HOW ARE THEY
DIFFERENT FROM
OTHER SECTORS?
 involvement of women in any implementation of disaster
management was considered to be a gender sensitive or responsive
action.
Among health sector officials for example, they
admitted to have already considered gender in
the implementation of their responsibility by
Inclusion of women health personnel, such as
midwives and nurses, in carrying out disaster
response

The study on “Women in Times of Disaster”: The Integration of Gender Issues and
Gender Perspectives in Disaster Management (2009)
 Women have capacities in managing disaster as they know better
the needs of majority of the survivor
Given their gender roles, they know
better what are experienced and needed
by women, therefore the existence of
women in decision making, particularly
in the context of gender integration
into disaster management is crucial

The higher their representation, the

more gender responsive the decision
will be made.
The study on “Women in Times of Disaster”: The Integration of Gender Issues and
Gender Perspectives in Disaster Management(2009)
 FACTS
The significance of women representation in decision making
process was shown by the initiative of women’s sector of
Cabinet Office. They conducted a study to clarify gender
issues following great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in 2004.

This fact shows that women representation in decision making

can make changes, significantly. The increasing number of
women fire fighter is expected to influence the way disaster
management is executed, as they have important role to lead
community disaster management

The study on “Women in Times of Disaster”: The Integration of Gender Issues and
Gender Perspectives in Disaster Management (2009)
 FACTS
Study in The Philippines showed that
women Head of Barangay can
significantly influence the policy by
assigning woman councilors to head
committees that are closely related to
disaster response such as health,
education, environment and sanitation,
as well as finance that traditionally
held by men.

The study on “Women in Times of Disaster”: The Integration of Gender Issues and
Gender Perspectives in Disaster Management(2009)
THANK
YOU!!