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There is a pressing need to invest in women’s capacity in disaster risk management - ensuring they are included in leadership roles, decision-making clusters, and frontline response efforts.
The Pacific is highly susceptible to natural disasters, from cyclones to earthquakes, with women often bearing the brunt of these crises. However, they are not only victims; they serve as first responders. When disaster strikes, women are at the forefront, protecting their families, mobilizing resources, and contributing to recovery efforts.
Sherryl Mahina Ulufia’s story is a testament to the critical role women play in disaster response and the urgent need to invest in their capacity for disaster risk management.
When the earthquake struck Vanuatu’s Port Vila on 17 December 17 2024, Sherryl, the current Area Programme Manager for UNDP in Vanuatu, was at her desk in the UN Joint Presence Office. What began as a seemingly minor tremor quickly escalated into a powerful shake, toppling office cabinets and sending employees scrambling for safety. Trapped inside a seven-story building, Sherryl clung to a cement pillar, waiting for the tremors to subside. Despite her own fears, her first instinct was to check on her colleagues.
Once outside, relief was short-lived as she immediately turned her focus to her son and niece, hoping for a signal to confirm their safety amid disrupted networks and traffic chaos.
As a mother and a leader, Sherryl had to navigate the complex reality of supporting her family while coordinating response efforts. Acknowledging the pressures of her dual responsibilities, she credits her husband’s unwavering support for allowing her to fully commit to the crisis response. Her approach was both pragmatic and strategic - ensuring her son understood emergency protocols so she could perform her duties with peace of mind.
"Even in the midst of chaos, I knew I had to stay strong - not just for my team but for my family. Their safety and well-being fueled my determination to push forward," Sherryl reflects.
Sherryl Mahina Ulufia, Area Programme Manager for UNDP Vanuatu, reminds us that resilience, leadership, and community support are the pillars of recovery and change in times of crisis.
Among the many challenges Sherryl faced, transportation stood out as a major hurdle. Without a driving license, moving around in an emergency became difficult, but she found alternative solutions and leaned on colleagues for support. Despite these obstacles, she took on her leadership role with confidence, relying on her strengths in communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
Leading a response as a young woman came with its own set of challenges, but she credits the solidarity and collaboration of her team for overcoming them together.
Women as Key Drivers of Recovery and Resilience
Sherryl is quick to highlight the vital contributions of women in disaster recovery. From ensuring household safety to mobilising resources for rebuilding efforts, women play an indispensable role. Market vendors, for example, were among the hardest hit, yet they quickly found alternative ways to continue their businesses, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
"Women are often the first responders in their homes and communities. Their strength and resourcefulness are key to recovery efforts, and their voices must be heard in every phase of disaster response," she emphasises.
Despite their vital role, women are still underrepresented in decision-making processes for disaster preparedness and response. There is a pressing need to invest in women’s capacity in disaster risk management - ensuring they are included in leadership roles, decision-making clusters, and frontline response efforts. Women must be recognised as change-makers, not just as those affected by disasters, but as active participants in building resilient communities.
Advocating for Gender-Inclusive Disaster Response
Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, Sherryl sees her experience as an example of the empowerment that comes with leadership. However, she also recognises that more needs to be done to ensure women’s voices are heard in disaster response.
Inclusive decision-making, capacity-building, and greater community engagement are essential for recognising and strengthening women’s leadership in crisis situations.
For other women stepping into leadership roles during crises, Sherryl’s advice is clear: stay true to your values, trust your instincts, and communicate openly. She emphasises the importance of seeking support, as no one can navigate these challenges alone. Most importantly, she encourages women to lift each other up, ensuring that the next generation of female leaders is even stronger.
In times of crisis, it is women like Sherryl Mahina who remind us that resilience, leadership, and community support are the pillars of recovery and change.
It is time to shift perceptions and recognise women as the changemakers they are, not just in response to disasters, but in building a more resilient future for all.
