LocationsGender mainstreaming in emergency situations
November 15, 2022
A two-day workshop on “Gender equality in the context of climate change” on 7-8 November, 2022, within the project “Enhancing Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to increase resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change-induced hazards” introduced to the participants the significance of gender mainstreaming in dealing with any disaster risk situation including also environmental hazards.
Men and women react differently in time of crisis, that is why it is important to take into account the peculiarities of gender aspects in actions targeted at mitigating the effects of environmental perils and preventing the risk of natural disasters. The joint project “Enhancing Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to increase resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change induced hazards” of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the Center of Hydro-meteorological Service (Uzhydromet) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) aims to enhance the efficiency and coverage of a multi-hazard early warning system for climate change-induced hazards in Uzbekistan given the projected climate change impacts. During the seminar the representatives of MES and UN agencies and projects staff learnt how to incorporate the gender aspects in implementation of any project and why it is important.
In the course of two days the workshop’s participants had an opportunity to not only learn about the challenges and benefits of integrating gender-sensitive policies, but also share their own views on challenges in implementing gender equality principles in the context of emergency situations.
"I had paid a little attention to the importance of women’s perspective while dealing with emergency situations in the past," - shares Ulugbek Djurabaev, head of the department of telecommunication, warning and information within the MES. – "The workshop helped me to understand what advantages to the team could bring the women’s representation in operations of mitigating or preventing disaster situations."
Among participants were also the representatives of the MES who work directly with vulnerable groups, including also people with disabilities, – call centre operatives who could also communicate through visual sign language via video link.
"Though gender aspects are not considered as primary focus of our work, active participation of women in all spheres plays an important role in overall country’s development," - says Saodat Adelova, chief specialist at the Inspectorate for Small Vessels within the MES. – "After attending the seminar I am able to draw full picture of all actions targeted at gender mainstreaming and why it is essential to apply this concept at all levels."
It has to be noted that the project “Enhancing Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to increase resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change induced hazards” funded by the Green Climate Fund contributes to achieving the following sustainable development goals (SDG) - SDG 11 aiming to develop sustainable cities and communities and SDG 13 targeted at enhancing climate action.
UNDP works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
