Women as first responders in emergencies

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When Tropical Cyclone Winston hit Fiji last month, women showcased strength, resilience and resourcefulness in the face of devastation. A month into the response, stories continue to highlight the incredible leadership of women coming together to support each other, share water and food and initiate joint livelihood ventures. Women are also taking an active role in educating other women about their rights and are helping to protect and support women and vulnerable groups, through counselling, psychosocial support, and the distribution of life saving assistance. Women’s increased role in decision-making ensured that the relief items distributed after the cyclone were addressing the specific needs of women.

While disasters do not discriminate, women, girls, boys and men experience them differently. In some crisis settings, gender-based violence affects over 70 per cent of women. The stories from Fiji and similar stories from around the world, show that women are not just victims, they play unique and important roles in preparing for and responding to emergencies.

At the occasion of the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, OCHA and Action Aid have published a photo gallery showcasing powerful examples from women at the forefront of humanitarian response. As first responders, they tend to the elderly and the injured, offer psychological support, mediate and resolve community disputes and emerge as leaders in their communities.

The challenges however remain huge for these women and many of the first responders struggle with difficult access to humanitarian funding and resources and the lack of recognition of their key role in humanitarian action.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has send a clear message to world leaders that this year’s World Humanitarian Summit must be a key milestone to close the gender gap in humanitarian action: “Women and girls’ full and equal participation […] at all levels must become the standard.”

Humanitarian action can only be effective if it delivers equally for all women, men, girls, and boys.

OCHA and Action Aid also presented the photo gallery at an event in New York, where women from Haiti, Liberia, the Philippines and Vanuatu gave powerful testimonies about their roles as first responders. Read more about the event here: Women’s voices in Humanitarian Action

Author

WHS staff member

The World Humanitarian Summit was initiated by the UN Secretary-General to improve global humanitarian action. It will culminate in Istanbul in 2016.

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