SCALING UP WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IS KEY TO SUSTAINABLE DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS.

MAINSTREAM INTERVENTIONS FOR DISASTER REDUCTION SHOULD ESSENTIALLY BUILD ON EXISTING RESILIENCE DEMONSTRATED AMPLY BY WOMEN AND POOR COMMUNITIES.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

RECOGNISE & POLICY SUPPORT WOMEN AS KEY ACTORS IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION INSTEAD OF AS VICTIMS.

TOGTHER WITH ADDRESSING GENDER CONCERNS IN THE CONTEXT OF DISASTERS,

TO MINIMISE WASTAGE, MAXIMISE INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS AND IT'S MAINTENANCE, IN DISASTER RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION,

POLICY & PROGRAM SUPPORT NEEDED

Ø WOMEN NEED ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION AT ALL LEVELS OF DECISION MAKING

Ø WOMEN'S SELF HELP GROUPS ACCESS TO CAPACITIES & RESOURCES FOR LIVELIHOODS

Ø WOMEN SHGs TO PLAY KEY ROLES IN RELIEF COORDINATION, RECOVERY PLANS FOR HOUSING &SERVICES AND SUSTAIN REHABILITATION RESULTS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

If we are to shift the focus from relief to disaster prevention scaling up women's participation is essential. At the gender and social issues session at the IDMC, wide range of innovations and policy initiatives emerged for scaling up women's participation emerged with clear directions for government and international support.

Over 100 representatives belonging to field NGOs, SHG /federation leaders, gender and development professionals, academics, researchers and from over 12 states recognised the undervalued yet valuable role of grassroots -CBOs, women's self help groups esp. in the context of in response and rehabilitation esp. after the tsunami and the floods in Western India after listening to the key speakers.

The session was viewed as a platform for debate using presentations that highlighted the role of women in response and rehabilitation esp. after the tsunami and the floods in Western India.

It was heartening to note the many examples of interventions from floods in Maharashtra, W.Bengal, Orissa and tsunami in Tamilnadu stressing the need to recognize the role of women as responders and actors in relief and rehabilitation.

Dr Vinod Menon , Member NDMA, in his opening remarks, stressed that the entire process of disaster management needs to be Reshaped. Restoration of normalcy is not the best way to respond in disaster situation. Disaster offers an opportunity for not only bringing back normalcy, but also Building Back Better. Rehabilitation in post disaster situation should not be only restricted to physical re-construction. Far more importance should give to reconstruction of lives by supporting women and community participation and consolidating the social processes.

Chairperson highlighted that wherever women's self help groups were supported in large numbers by the government the results are tremendous in changing the status of women and in reducing corruption and bringing efficacy in the rehabilitation process. Example of 2400 groups with Rs. 40 crores turnover in tsunami affected Nagapattinam district -as reported by leader of fisherwomen's Federation were ready for playing active role in disaster prevention.

Relief

Women should not be treated merely as victims but as partners in changes as the knowledge resource is with community as what is going on in their local settings.

Presenter from Tsunami affected areas pointed out that damage assessments does not include economic losses, losses of most vulnerable groups eg Dalits and tribal communities and agricultural farmers.

"One blanket does not fit all." In the relief phase, cash compensation/assets should be actually routed thru women's groups. Need of joint ownership of titles and property was stressed.

Presentation that highlights the need for a shift in disaster policy and intervention. With respect to clear recognition that gender dimension to disaster response is important. Practical needs, of women and girls, do not get considered when a disaster strikes due to emergency response based on formula of one-blanket fits all. Besides addressing practical aspects, strategically involving women in relief phase could reduce corruption, ensure information flow to affected citizens and hold agencies and Panchayats accountable.

A government official in her speech clearly identified that deaths and identification of women and senior citizens are not taken care of. The actual data compilation and social assessment can be done only by those closes to the community and people. This gives opportunity for women's groups, Gram Panchayats and CBOs to intervene properly.

Role of women self help groups

From all presentations, it was seen that self help groups have played an implementation role - in search and rescue, community kitchens, grain banks, providing credit, in village level, decision making, identifying livelihoods, forming disaster task forces etc.

Women's groups faced extreme opposition from traditional male dominated community leaders. Support of NGOs was crucial in bringing women out and in involving them in addressing vulnerabilities.

Facilitators or Doers - Role of NGOs, Govt

In the post tsunami response and rehabilitation -it was demonstrated once again that technical assistance professionals, NGOs and international donors should take on facilitation instead of playing an intermediary, implementing role. It was noted widely, that reducing women & communities and their organisations to project beneficiaries undermines their potential role in disaster prevention.

The tsunami offers a hitherto under-utilised opportunity to strengthen grassroots women's economic status while providing opportunity to recognise and train them managers in disaster risk reduction.

In a charity driven environment, some Govt, NGOs and practitioners have facilitated GPs, SHGs and CBOs for local ownership initiatives. These initiatives offer powerful insights for policy support required for the next stage to move towards disaster prevention. Community should live together and stay together.

Recommendations presented by Chair : Prema Gopalan in the valedictory session

RECOMMENDATIONS - 1

Disaster Preparedness & Prevention

- Positioning women as key actors / leaders in DRR initiatives at all levels - Build on adaptive / risk sharing capacities of SHGs / CBOs - Women (SHGs / CBOs) mandatory for community based disaster management plans - Gender disaggregated data for multi-level policy planning and preparedness (NSS, Census)

RECOMMENDATIONS - 2

Policy & Governance

- Adequate budgetary provision (of at least 10% )for vulnerability reduction measures benefiting women - Adequate representation of women (from SHGs / CBOs) in disaster management authorities at all levels - Social + financial audit of planning for ensuring equitable access - Design Relief + Compensation Packages for Women and Girls - Joint ownership of assets a precondition of rehabilitation - Formal responsibility to SHGs & CBOs for handling relief -volunteers, cash assistance, shelter management,food procurement & supply,para-medical teams, etc

RECOMMENDATIONS - 3

Communication

- Ensure transparency & reduce corruption through information flow & redressal mechanisms - Access to communication tools to ensure last mile coverage in early warning systems for preparedness - Train PRIs to integrate risk reduction in development works

Livelihoods & Insurance

- Involve women to ensure in design, management & maintenance of community infrastructure and assets - Financial products and sustained investments for livelihoods & enterprise promotion - Affordable & responsive life & non-life micro insurance for assets, livestock, crops etc.

- Swayam Shikshan Prayog, December 2006