This was highlighted in a speech prepared for the international day of disaster reduction which was not delivered because the official invited to read the speech did not turn up.
The speech said there is an urgent need for gender- sensitive disaster risk reduction plans at national and local government level.
It said women and girls are natural participants in disaster risk reduction and recovery process without being recognised.
The speech said that only when government and communities are gender sensitive then more resilient families and communities to disasters can be ensured.
“Only when we are able to analyse the roles and relationships of women and men in disaster risk reduction with a gendered socioeconomic and cultural context, can we be able to achieve significant reduction in disaster impacts.”
It pointed out that gender inequality puts women, children and entire communities in danger when disaster strikes.
“To ensure safer tomorrow, our women and girls need to be empowered to fully contribute to sustainable development through disaster risk reduction.
“Particularly in the areas of environmental and natural resources management, governance, urban and land use planning as well as social and economic planning, the key drivers to disaster risk.”
The speech added that women and girls are powerful agents of change as they are activist, law maker, social workers, role models, community leaders, teachers and mothers thus their role must be recognised.
By Jennifer Kakai
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