Page 21 - IB MAR 2017

Women
How Cyclone Wi nston left us exposed

ing humanitarian assistance, their specific can ensure a smooth transition from ibility of rural women speaking about the
needs would be addressed through the relief to development and address sexual impact and recovery strategies, as well as
collection of the database.” and gender-based violence as an integral communicating key lessons and prepared-
“For women with disability, access to and prioritised part of every humanitar- ness recommendations which are missing
information and communication is really ian response as well as strategies to build from the formal spaces despite commit-
needed especially during disasters,” added resilient and self-reliant communities by ments at the World Humanitarian Summit
Unaisi Bakewa Sadranu, Vice President ensuring that the traditional, cultural and (2016), the National Gender Policy (2014)
of the Tavua Disabled People’s Associa- societal barriers – as well as the safety, and ratification of The Convention on the
tion, emphasising that it is vital to ensure economic and political barriers. Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
that the specific needs of groups such as Evidence from the WWW campaign Against Women (CEDAW) (1995).
women with disabilities who too often 2016 has highlighted the reality that de- Ultimately, while natural disasters do
face multiple discrimination are addressed. spite leading in their communities before not discriminate, nothing is gender neutral
“From experience, communication was not and after the events of 20th February, because of the inequalities in our society.
accessible and it was not accurate during 2016, women continue to be invisible – Now, more than ever, there is a need for the
the last disaster (TC Winston).” they are still under-represented in decision state to ensure that women are empowered
“Another thing is the awareness. making despite a pre-existing commitment to equitably and meaningfully participate
Awareness has to be done not only to the of 30 per cent. with men, their needs and interests are
people with disability but to the stakehold- The impact of this was evident in the prioritised in strategies and responses and
ers too. The stakeholders too should know Post Disaster Needs Assessment which the human rights of women and girls are
how to treat women with disability espe- was gender neutral in its perspective. promoted and protected in all development
cially when disaster strikes. Women living It is disappointing that the status quo re- efforts.
with disabilities in rural areas have been mains even though there has been oppor-
left out and some of them have not been tunity to address the under-representation - Sharon Rolls is Executive Producer-Director of
visited. (So), if women can be resourced of women especially in local governance femLINKpacific
and given the accessibility.” structures and there has been greater vis-
Ultimately, we know that we will con-
tinue to face extreme weather events and
natural disasters which have an excessive
negative impact on women and girls and
committees, they also have a vital role in ‘
that their peace and security will be at risk
without a human security and protection
approach.
“While there are disaster preparedness

response and recovery, and should not just ... for
be limited to committees in settlements,” women with
said Mereani Nawadra, a community ra-
dio broadcaster and staff member of the disability,
Methodist Church in Fiji.
She suggested that disaster risk reduc- access to
tion (DRR) must be incorporated into
wherever communities gather. From information
women’s clubs to faith groups. What is
vital is inclusive representation. ... is really
“The DRR committee must include a
youth member, a person with disability needed
(and) a representative of the LGBT com-
munity,” Nawadra added. during
“We must have more women’s partici-
pation in all diversities of life,” continued disasters
Vani Tuvuki, of the Koronubu Women’s
Fellowship in Ba “That is pre, during and ‘
after any disaster.”
Inclusive preparedness, response and
recovery requires the representation of
women.
The leadership, experiences and chal-
lenges of women in all their diversities

Islands Business, March 2017 21