Page 33 - IB June 2020

PACIFIC WOMEN’S WEATHER WATCH

The Pacific Womens Weather Watch (WWW) network, puts women at the centre of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at all levels, acknowledging their
important roles in all aspects of disaster preparedness. It provides data and first hand accounts of how and why womens full participation is vital, and
brings their voices to policy makers at all levels to create the change needed to keep everyone safe and prepared. With the recent cyclone season and
the events of cyclones Sarai, Tino and Harold, as well as the COVID19 Pandemic, the role of the Pacific Women Weather Watchers of Tonga, Vanuatu,
Solomon Islands and Fiji have grown immensely. Sharing information, communicating on the ground feedback, preparing and protecting for a severe
cyclone around the context of a pandemic. Womens Weather Watch comprises largely of 80 women from diverse networks across femLINKpacifics
regional partners; Talitha Project- Tonga, Vois Blong Mere- Solomon Islands, Young Women for Change- Vanuatu (VYWC).

“Protection and the right to life “There’s a need for more “Through the government, “As first responders we are
and the basic necessities must awareness on the importance through the cluster committee, able to see on the ground what
be immediate and urgent for the for people to take heed of they need to strengthen the communities are going through. If
people. We can’t stop the natural weather situations, the types of CDC’s committee. This committee we are put on the committees for
disaster but we can arm ourselves disasters and how people could themselves needs to be sensitized disaster management, then we’ll
with gender, human rights and
with knowledge and better help each other during times of violence, and all of those issues be able to advise the stakeholders
preparedness. We must include disasters and more importantly needs to help marginalised much better- like what are
women and young women in the build evacuation canters that are people in the community, also some of the needs of these rural
discussion.” – Vanessa Heleta, friendly for people to use”– Lisa women and girls because they are women”– Nila Rao, Rakiraki,
Talitha Project, Tonga. Horiwapu, Vois Blong Mere, the ones most affected during the Fiji.
Solomon Islands. disaster”– Gaetano Kalopong,
Vanuatu.
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Islands Business, June 2020 33