Environment, Gender, and Disasters

Promoting inclusiveness through ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction

To mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction, the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) would like to invite you to participate to Environment, Gender, and Disasters (register here). The event will be held on 11 October 2019 from 09:30 to 14:00 at the International Environment House 2 (Rhône Room, Chemin de Balexert 7 – 9, 1219, Geneva).

The event will feature topical presentations and a panel discussion on the role of women and gender minority groups in disaster risk reduction. The event will also feature the launch of Disasters and Ecosystems: Resilience in a Changing Climate, a book on the importance of ecosystems and their management for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The book notably features a chapter fully dedicated to the importance of including women and gender minorities in disaster risk management.

PEDRR will also inaugurate its new Virtual Global Support Center, which will offer dedicated technical expertise on Ecosystem-based approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction, along with a virtual library, new regional networks and knowledge hubs, and a greater access to data, maps, and tools.

Registration is required to attend. Please register before 3 October 2019.

Background

Men, women and people of other gender identities experience disasters differently. Therefore, it is imperative that disaster risk reduction strategies are gender sensitive and take into account these differences and contexts. Environmental degradation is a well-known leading cause of disaster risk, for example denuded vegetation on steep slopes can be a direct factor leading to landslides. It is also well-known that when girls and women are empowered and informed, they can be strong advocates and stewards of natural resources and actors of change in promoting disaster risk reduction. In recent years, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and adaptation (Eco-DRR/EbA) has received heightened attention as an effective approach to reducing disaster risk.   However, we know less about the role of inclusiveness and gender in the nexus between sustainable natural resources management and disaster risk reduction.  This PEDRR seminar aims to increase the awareness of civil society actors, policy makers, activists, NGOs and scholars about the gendered aspects of (Eco-DRR/EbA).