The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is advocating for the inclusion of women’s organizations in the National Disaster Risk Management Council, requesting a specific quota for female representation. This appeal was made to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, which is reviewing the draft National Disaster Risk Management Bill 2024.
The centre emphasized the necessity of guaranteed female representation in Disaster Risk Management Councils at various levels, including divisional, provincial, district, municipal, and community. It also highlighted the importance of achieving gender equality within the staffing of the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO).
Additionally, the centre called for gender sensitization training and awareness for all involved parties, including volunteers, to promote a gender-sensitive approach to disaster risk management, particularly at the community level for disaster preparedness.
It was noted that a comprehensive approach to disaster risk management and response requires specified cluster representation and the establishment of criteria for involving service delivery actors in these clusters to ensure adequate safeguards.
The centre pointed out that labeling women as a vulnerable group oversimplifies their experiences with violence against women and girls (VAWG) during emergencies and highlighted that patriarchy is the root cause of VAWG in such situations. The use of this terminology perpetuates stereotypes that depict women as weak.