Social, economic, cultural and environmental variables, added to institutional and political factors, generate gender inequalities that harm women and girls, including limitations in their physical, political and economic autonomy and barriers to access decision-making. This negatively impact their ability to cope with and recover from disasters. The design and planning of DRR policies must recognize gender dynamics to avoid perpetuating and deepening these inequalities and barriers.
The limiting conditions that women and girls face, such as low participation in family and community decision-making, limited access to managing family finances and banking services, credit, or poor access to health care or education, among others, further limit the ability of rural women and girls to prepare for and respond to disaster events.
However, while women are particularly vulnerable in times of disaster, they have proven time and time again that they are highly effective protagonists when it comes to prevention. Women in local communities bring invaluable knowledge to the equation for effective disaster risk reduction action. For this reason, it is essential that public investment address the differentiated needs, demands and proposals of women and girls in a multisectoral manner, who require support, leadership and attention.
It is crucial to ensure the participation and leadership of women's organizations as a measure to improve policies and programs related to disaster risk reduction, and thus strengthen the resilience of this group and their communities against climate change, environmental risks and disasters as a way to transform our production and consumption models.
The role of indigenous women and their organizations in the RDD is especially highlighted. The resilience of indigenous women, their ancestral knowledge in the management of natural resources and the reduction of disaster risk can be considered as innovative practices that can contribute positively to the circular economy, the ecological transition and the consolidation of clean and safe energies, all key factors to reduce the risk of disasters and serve the affected populations.
Towards Gender Equality and Women’s Leadership for Resilience to Disaster Risks in Latin America and the Caribbean
Document resulting from the Regional Consultation of Latin America and the Caribbean prior to the sixty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where the main theme was "The achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of policies and programs related to climate change, the environment and Disaster Risk Reduction”.
Regional Conference
on Women
in Latin America
and the Caribbean
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The 62ⁿᵈ Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
At the sixty-second meeting of the Presiding Officers, delegations shared ideas on the preparations for the fifteenth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (Argentina, 2022). The main topic for the next Regional Conference will be “The care society: a horizon for sustainable recovery with gender equality”. Read more.
Download the Declaration of the 62nd Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women:
LAC Network
of Women for DRR
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Women from Latin America and the Caribbean launch network for disaster risk reduction
Women from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together on October 13, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), for the virtual launch of this regional network to combine their efforts to reduce and mitigate risks and finally prevent disasters in the region. Read More.
Be part of the LAC Network of Women for Disaster Risk Reduction
This form is addressed to all women and young people from Latin America and the Caribbean who wish to join the Women's Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean. Read More.
Communication
and Featured News
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In this section you can find news and communication products related to the participation of women in Disaster Risk Reduction, prepared by both UNDRR and its strategic allies.
💻Te invitamos a participar del curso virtual "Enfoque de Género y Movilidad Humana en la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres".
— UNDRR Américas y el Caribe (@UNDRR_Americas) April 21, 2022
📌📝Inscríbete gratuitamente aquí: https://t.co/udMHw2IHhq pic.twitter.com/Sl5iUXA0HR
Over 700 women from 28 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean came together in 2021 to improve disaster risk prevention approaches in their regions 📈 #NaturalHazards #DRR
— UNDRR (@UNDRR) May 7, 2022
https://t.co/usTgcbfD3R pic.twitter.com/CtALM9wTCB
Ensuring the active participation of women in every aspect of decision-making is key to fostering DRR policies, programs and strategies that leave no one behind.
— UNDRR Américas y el Caribe (@UNDRR_Americas) March 11, 2022
💜@UN_Women @globalnetworkdr pic.twitter.com/NJjsf0Av0j
Podcast Series
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One of the main barriers to sustainable development is gender inequality. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the role of women as agents of change.
In this new episode we look at how disasters are biased and how structural gender inequalities make women and girls more vulnerable to hazards.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 supports an inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction. It recognizes the indispensable role of women in efforts to reduce risks. Read More.
Thursday, January 27, 2022. The document proposes that the spaces for negotiations and definition of policies and programs be carried out with greater coordination and articulation between the diversity of sectors, for a sustainable development sensitive to risk and with a gender and inclusion intersectional approach. Read More.
