The importance of involving women in disaster risk reduction planning

Evidence shows that engaging women in disaster planning can significantly reduce their risk and mortality. During Cyclone Gorky in Bangladesh (1991) the number of women that died outnumbered men at a rate of 14:1. Sixteen years later, during Cyclone Sidr, the rate had reduced to 5:1. In the years in between, many communitybased disaster preparedness groups (several of which were led by women) developed disaster response plans, including enhanced early warning and evacuation plans, which helped to significantly reduce death tolls.

The participation of women in disaster planning has a positive impact not only on the reduction of women’s deaths during natural disasters, but also on the well-being of the communities in the crisis aftermath, as demonstrated by a group of women in Turkey.

Women’s leadership in disaster response and recovery

The Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work in Turkey (founded in 1986) works to create a more equal society by promoting grass-roots women’s leadership and empowerment though poverty elimination, disaster preparedness and response, and the participation of low-income women in decision-making processes. In the aftermath of the İzmit earthquake in 1999, the organization had a prominent role, serving as a meeting place for women to offer support to other women, provide services for children and work with young volunteers to help distribute humanitarian aid, with their roles later expanding to include establishing centres for women and children where women could self-organize, redistribute relief goods to the most vulnerable and involve themselves in their camp’s management duties to improve food and sanitation services and organize livelihood activities.

The lessons learned during the post-disaster efforts showed possible ways to empower women through increasing their access to resources, capacity-building and self-confidence in leadership roles.

Social recognition and women’s empowerment

With the expansion of their centres, services and efforts to restore livelihoods, these women became more visible to the community and gained political recognition, which helped to secure contracts with municipalities to provide their services. The organization now collaborates with local governments, which request their support to provide training, consultancy and monitoring services, contribute to development projects and organize women’s groups across the country. Thousands of women have become economically active in formal jobs or started their businesses thanks to this organization.

Currently, the organization has expanded its reach to help Syrian women refugees thanks to its collaboration with Jordanian and Lebanese organizations.