International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction: “Women and Girls – the [in]Visible Force of Resilience”
Date:
The International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is commemorated annually on 13 October. The objective of the observance is to raise awareness of how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters. The theme of the 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is “Women and Girls - the [in]Visible Force of Resilience.
Women and girls are often at the forefront of disasters, and amongst the most affected as they ensure the safety of family members before their own. Post-disaster, they are also the ones who often take on the responsibility and create the foundation of rebuilding their families and communities. As mothers, community leaders, teachers, activists, law makers, social workers and role models, women are invaluable in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation processes if sustainable community resilience and disaster reduction are to be achieved.
The experience, knowledge and expertise of women and girls are critical to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies and processes. Studies show household adaptation measures are more likely to take root if women are included in processes from the beginning to end and it is essential that women and girls are actively involved in policy, planning and implementation processes for disaster reduction.
SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS
Women and girls - crucial actors in disaster risk reduction
Joint press release by the United Nations Country Team in Viet Nam culminating a week of special activities across the country to mark this year's International Day for Disaster Reduction. Read more »
PAST SPEECHES
Speech by Michelle Bachelet at the Pacific Islands Forum on climate change, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General (30 August 2012)
Message delivered by Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women on behalf of UN Secretary-General at the Pacific Islands Forum on climate change. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28 August 2012. Read more »
VIDEO MESSAGE FROM UN WOMEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHELLE BACHELET
As the world observes International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October, observed 12 October), Executive Director Michelle Bachelet calls for the invisible to be made visible by using the contribution of women and girls to improve preparations and responses to disasters. Their knowledge is vital to every strategy for disaster management and in building resilience in every community.
New publication
A new publication by the UN System in Viet Nam and Oxfam, with contributions from UN Women and other UN agencies aims to recognize women and girls as dynamic actors in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
FEATURE STORIES
The Women's Union building in Viet Nam's Binh Dinh Province is afloat with music, as traditional songs about the province, the seasons, fishing and farming drift through its rooms. Yet those singing know that the life they celebrate is under threat. Each has gathered here to discuss plans and actions for tackling natural disasters. Read more »
For Chaluay Kawaonag, and her community in the province of Pathum Thani in Thailand, the flood waters that inundated their homes in October were not unexpected. But no one anticipated the extent of damage that the floods would cause. Read more »
When a disaster strikes and women are not registered, they become faceless victims struggling to seek state assistance. But if they have an Identity Card they are in the Government system and therefore entitled to assistance, benefits and resources, and so are their children. Read more »
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