International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8th March annually, stands as a global tribute to the remarkable achievements of women across all spheres of life and an urgent call to action for gender equality. In 2024, the campaign theme, 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress', underscores the critical need to prioritize gender equality, particularly in disaster resilience efforts.
The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (MTR SFDRR) acknowledges the significant contributions of women to disaster risk reduction efforts as leaders, decision-makers, and agents of change. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring women's full and equal participation in decision-making processes related to disaster risk reduction at all levels. ARISE resonates with the MTR of SFDRR by actively engaging the private sector in gender mainstreaming efforts within disaster risk reduction initiatives. ARISE recognizes and promotes women's leadership within the private sector in driving initiatives for disaster resilience. By involving women leaders in its network who are committed to disaster risk reduction objectives, ARISE provides a platform for women to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes related to disaster resilience.
At the ARISE Annual General Meeting in 2023, discussions centered on "Gender-Inclusive Climate Resilience Strategies and the Role of the Private Sector." These discussions underscored the multifaceted approach required to address gender disparities in disaster resilience effectively.
One such initiative is ARISE El Salvador’s Mangrove Restoration Program in Barra de Santiago, Ahuachapán. In collaboration with the local women-led association, "Asociación de Mujeres de la Barra de Santiago (AMBAS)," this program not only contributes to ecological restoration but also generates local employment opportunities, empowering women economically and environmentally. Further details on this project will be provided in future news articles.
Moreover, the celebration of Women’s Month in 2023 witnessed a collaborative effort led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, along with the Government of the Netherlands, Australian Government, The Rockefeller Foundation, ARISE-Philippines, Resilient.PH, WINDRR, and SM Cares. The event, titled the Building Resilience Index Forum: Women’s Role in Creating a Resilient Building Environment, showcased the importance of women’s participation in shaping resilient infrastructure and environments.
We applaud United Parcel Service de México (UPS), a member of ARISE Mexico for their commitment to gender and risk reduction. Their webinar on "Empowering Resilience: Gender and Risk Reduction" was a great success, and we appreciate their efforts to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives and gender-specific experiences in disaster planning and response. These MSMEs, are offering insights into entrepreneurship through the authentic lens of the LGBT+ community.
RIKA INDIA, a Member of ARISE INDIA, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and supported by the Asian Pacific Network (APN), is implementing the Project Gender-orientated adaptive transformation cross learning for climate change and disaster risk resilience among India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Japan 2023-25.
These initiatives underscore the collective commitment of ARISE members and partners to advance gender equality in disaster resilience. By empowering women economically, socially, and environmentally, we not only build more resilient communities but also foster a more just and equitable society. As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let us renew our resolve to invest in women and accelerate progress towards a gender-equal world.
