Plateforme AGGRC

Initiatives pour l'intégration du genre dans la gestion des risques de catastrophes à Madagascar | Policy Brief

Thierry — 2024-11-29T11:35:09Z

Gouvernement de Madagascar
Mutuelle Panafricaine des Risques (ARC)
2024

Madagascar figure parmi les pays les plus vulnérables au monde, sa position géographique l'expose aux différents aléas climatiques tels que les cyclones tropicaux.
En moyenne, 2 à 3 cyclones traversent la Grande Ile chaque année, laissant des dégâts considérables que le pays a du mal à réparer.

Pour y faire face le gouvernement agit sur :

Le renforcement des capacités et les compétences en matière d'intégration de Genre et de Genre et GRC/RRC,
L'adoption de manière systématique la prise en compte de la diversité de genre, sexe, âge et habilité lors des collectes de donnée,
Le renforcement de la participation des femmes dans la GRC, et
La promotion et le renforcement de l'accès des groupes vulnérables aux financements liés aux risques.

Genre et gestion des risques des flambées épidémiques au Sénégal : un processus en cours

Thierry — 2024-09-25T15:44:22Z

Union Africaine
ARC
4 p

- Documentation / Note d'information , Sénégal, Intégration de la dimension de genre

Gender-based violence in Cameroon : magnitude and challenge

Thierry — 2024-09-11T18:02:28Z

National Institute of Statistics
August 2020

The objective of this policy brief is to assess the magnitude of the various forms of gender-based violence in Cameroon, in order to identify the appropriate response to the challenges that involve all stakeholders given the multisectoral nature of interventions. The results obtained from the data of the last three editions of the Demographic and Health Survey (2004 CDHS-III, 2011 DHS-MICS and 2018 CDHS-V) show that different forms of violence, whether sexual, physical, emotional or psychological, including forced marriage, denial of resources, of opportunities or services, persist in Cameroon despite lower levels of prevalence rate since 2004. It is mostly in the Centre region (excluding Yaounde) that the different forms of violence are widespread. It has also been observed that victims rarely resort to social services because most of them prefer resorting to family members for help.

Priority Actions for Gender Mainstreaming in DRM in Zambia | Policy Brief

Thierry — 2024-08-15T17:10:51Z

Government of Zambia
African Risk Capacity
5 p

Unlocking the Potential : The imperative of Gender Responsiveness in DRM – Why women matter !

Gender Responsiveness in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is crucial because women often face unique vulnerabilities and possess invaluable capacities that can significantly enhance resilience and recovery efforts. Women's roles as caregivers, community organizers, and primary managers of household resources position them as key agents in identifying risks and mobilizing resources effectively. Moreover, their perspectives and experiences provide essential insights into developing more inclusive and effective DRM strategies. By ensuring that DRM policies and practices are gender-responsive, we can unlock the potential for more equitable and sustainable disaster management, leveraging the full range of human resources and fostering stronger, more resilient communities.

Background Information on DRM in Zambia

Over the last few decades, Zambia has experienced a series of climate extremes such as droughts, seasonal and flush floods, increased temperatures prolonged dry spells, many of these with increased frequency, intensity and magnitude. The country's heavy reliance on agriculture which supports most livelihoods in rural areas renders it particularly susceptible to climate related shocks such as erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells. Zambia is also usually plagued with pandemics such as Cholera annually. These vulnerabilities underscore the urgent need for proactive gender responsive disaster risk management strategies that prioritise community resilience, climate adaptation, and inclusive approaches to safeguarding the wellbeing of women, men, girls and boys.

It is from this background that DMMU in collaboration with the African Risk Capacity commissioned a gender analysis on disaster risk management in Zambia.

Objective of the Gender Analysis and about the Policy Brief

Gender Analysis Objective : To conduct an in-depth Gender Analysis of gender sensitivity and inclusivity of current disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mechanisms in Zambia

This Policy Brief is informed by the results of the Gender Analysis and it underscores the gender specific disparities and avenues for integrating gender considerations into DRM laws, policies, institutional arrangements and guidelines om Zambia, ensuring equitable recognition of the rights and capabilities of both men and women.

DRM Legal and Policy Framework on Gender and DRM

Internation and Regional Frameworks

The government of Zambia is party to the Sendai Framework, the CEDAW, the SDGs, the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the ARC Gender Policy among others. Whilst efforts have been made to implement these obligations, more still needs to be done especially, in setting clear gender targets in all priorities for action and to strengthen gender integration in DRM.

National level legislative framework

At national level, gender mainstreaming is embedded in various Government laws and policies as a critical strategy for the promotion of gender equality across all sectors. The Zambian Act No. 2 of 2016 prohibits discrimination on any basis. Other Gender and DRM laws and policies include the Gender Equity and Equality Act, the Gender policy, the Disaster Management Act which creates the DMMU, the Disaster Management Policy, the Climate Change Gender Action Plan to name a few.

Key Findings of the Gender Analysis

Understanding Gender Equality : Although there is a fair understanding of what gender equality entails, on the ground, this was not practiced.

Disaster management Laws, policies and institutional frameworks : Generally, the existing framework on Gender and DRM in Zambia is well known at National level while these are not well known at district and community level.

While the existing framework indicates progress in integrating gender into DRM, there is still need to strengthen their gender responsiveness

Disaster Management Coordinating Structures and Mechanisms – Structures at community level lack clarity on when a disaster should be declared leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and response.

Gender representation on the various disaster management committees – Representation national, district and community levels comprised more males except for some national sub committees and clusters.

Disaster and Vulnerability mapping – It was widely acknowledged that natural hazards impact different population segments differently due to preexisting vulnerabilities such as high poverty, low literacy, gender roles, women's voice and agency, disability status, fewer resources to cope with and recover from disaster, etc. Furthermore, vulnerability was higher among population living along the river banks and those in the game park who continuously face the threat of animal and human conflict.

Profiling at-risk populations with special requirements during disasters : The social welfare tools and vulnerability assessments used to collect information for profiling at risk populations were found to be inadequate. Indicators such as assessing access to resources, decision making and exposure to GBV need to be included to capture the gender dimensions.

Early Warning and Information Dissemination : Despite acknowledging various sources used for disseminating early warning and other information, the following challenges were mentioned :

Agriculture Extension Officers were too far away to provide timely information
Radio coverage is not wide enough
Limited coverage and Poor phone network
Some information sharing meetings restricted attendance to household heads, mostly men

Coping Capacity for Disaster Response Management : It was acknowledged that men and male headed households having more capacity than women and female headed households when it comes to coping capacities for disaster response.

Disaster Response : In most cases, response was too slow. As a result, needs of the communities would have changed from the ones identified during needs assessment processes. A contributing factor is the delayed official acknowledgment of natural hazards.

Relief and Registration Services : Concerns were raised on how communication on relief and registration services were conducted ; the limited time allocated for both enumeration and registration, unclear criteria that was used to register beneficiaries ; distance and accessibility of the registration and relieve distribution centres which limited access for women and PWDs.

Payment Modality : The cash payment model for rural beneficiaries was applauded as an effective model because most women did not have phones and had limited knowledge on how to use phones. Mobile money transfer would pose challenges.

Shelters : Only tents are provided during disasters.

DRM Financing in Zambia

The Government of Zambia is committed to financing disaster risk management interventions. Annually, the government allocates funds for disaster risk management (DRM) activities through the national budget directed towards preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives. This budget allocation is complimented by funding from other sources such as

International Aid and Grants : From international donors, development agencies, and humanitarian organizations for specific projects aimed at enhancing disaster resilience
ARC : Which provides insurance against climate-related risks such severe droughts or other climate-related disasters
World Bank and Other Multilateral Institutions : Which support various programs and funding mechanisms for disaster risk management and climate resilience projects
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) : Which support infrastructure projects, technology deployment, and innovative financing solutions to enhance resilience.

Addressing Gender Vulnerabilities in DRM

Despite the commitment to DRM in Zambia, there is still room to improve DRM financing to ensure its gender responsiveness.
Currently, there is a lack of dedicated financing for initiatives that specifically aim to address gender inequalities in DRM.
Women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by disasters, often do not receive the targeted support needed to enhance their resilience and participation in DRM processes.

Moving Forward

Empower Resilience : Invest in a Gender Transformative Fund to Build Stronger, Equitable Futures for All !"

This will help to proactively address the underlying root causes of women and girls and other vulnerable groups such as PWDs' vulnerabilities to DRM Shelter planning and provision, especially for reproduc􏰁ve health services were not considered.

ARC Gender Transformative Fund

In 2021, the African Risk Capacity (ARC), a specialised agency of the African Union, established a Gender Transformative Fund, which is part its broader commitment to uphold gender equality principles and systematically integrate a gender perspective into its operations and policies

Its an innovative initiative dedicated to addressing gender transformative issues within DRM
It addresses gender inequalities in DRM and climate change adaptation across Africa.
It aims to support actions that can transform mentalities and foster an enabling environment for DRM
It includes efforts to transform DRM approaches to ensure gender equality for vulnerable groups and to partner with various stakeholders in gender transformative activities throughout the DRM spectrum.

Why Adopt a Gender Transformative Fund

Promotes Equity : By focusing on gender-specific vulnerabilities, the fund helps bridge the gap in resource allocation, ensuring that women and girls and other vulnerable groups receive the support they need to build resilience.

Sustainable Development : Addressing gender inequalities contributes to broader sustainable development goals, fostering economic and social stability.

Enhances Effectiveness and Empowering Communities : Considering the diverse experiences and capabilities of women, men, girls and boys leads to more comprehensive and effective disaster management strategies and enhances the overall resilience of communities, as each of them play vital roles in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Emmerging Lessons in DRM

Strengthening investment in disaster prevention can help to minimise exposure to potential disaster for women, men, boys and girls
Making funding available proactively before disaster occurs based on early warning information helps to reinforce risk reduction measures and this can mitigate vulnerabilities and the severity of the disaster impact
A gender Transformative Fund can help to inform the design of interventions that challenge existing gender norms and promote gender equality at all stages of DRM.

Recommendations

Priority Actions for Gender Responsive DRM

For Government

Leverage ongoing reform of DM Policy to incorporate gender considerations to strengthen DRM
Incorporate into new Operational Plan gender sensitive language, targets, indicators and interventions that address GBV
Build capacities of District Management Committees
Establish Gender Transformative Fund and strengthen collaboration with partners
Enhance process of decision making in announcing disasters to enable partners access resources to complement government efforts in responding to disasters.
Enhance resource allocation to DRM processes to ensure adequate time is provided for enumeration and registration using defined criteria.
Utilise early warning information to proactively guide timely implementation of interventions.
Enhance reach for communication channels such as radio coverage and availability of Agric. Ext. Officers

For Development Partners

Support ongoing efforts to engender the legal, policy and institutional framework on DRM
Support surveys and assessment to collect gender specific issues affecting women and men in disaster areas to inform strategies.
Support the development, implementation and monitoring of government led DRM policies, plans and strategies
Support capacity building efforts of stakeholders involved in DRM to enhance their capacity to identify and implement gender responsive DRM interventions
Support awareness on gender equality and interventions that empower women's capacity to become resilient and promote their equal participation in all stages of Community life

For Communities

Provide accurate information on prevailing disaster status and gender dimensions of its impact
Ensure information received on early warning and DRM interventions are communicated throughout assigned catchment areas.
Support community mobilization interventions
Ensure that selection of representation on various DRM committees is based on principles of gender equality.
Support awareness creation efforts to debunk norms that hinder the equal participation of women and men at all stages DRM

Conclusion

The gender analysis underscores the imperative of integrating gender perspectives into all phases of disaster risk management.
Gender specific needs and considerations need to be enhanced for equitable benefits and participation by women and men before, during and after disasters.

Concrete initiatives towards Gender Responsiveness in Outbreaks and Epidemics in Nigeria | Policy brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T20:54:35Z

Government of Nigeria
African Risk Capacity
5 p

Gender analysis in outbreaks and epidemics (O&E) in Nigeria is essential for understanding and addressing the differential impacts of infectious diseases on women, men, girls, and boys. Nigeria, with its large and diverse population of over 200 million, faces recurring health emergencies, including outbreaks of diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever, and cholera. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria experienced multiple disease outbreaks in recent years, with significant impacts on public health and socio-economic well-being. For instance, the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the World highlighted the importance of gender-responsive approaches in epidemic response efforts, recognizing that gender disparities can influence disease transmission, access to healthcare, and outcomes of outbreaks.

The Nigerian health sector confronts multifaceted challenges, particularly during health emergencies. This policy brief explores the intersection of gender dynamics with health emergencies during outbreaks and epidemics, emphasizing the imperative of understanding how different genders experience, cope with, and are affected by health crises. Gender disparities in the health emergency landscape in Nigeria pose significant challenges, with existing policies exhibiting shortcomings in addressing gender-specific vulnerabilities. Despite governance changes, enhanced efforts are needed for gender inclusivity in disaster preparedness plans, highlighting the urgency of addressing gender-specific needs in healthcare services during epidemics.

Primarily, women often bear a disproportionate burden in caregiving roles during health crises, amplifying their exposure to infectious diseases. Additionally, cultural norms and societal expectations often restrict women's mobility and decision-making autonomy during emergencies, hindering their ability to seek timely medical assistance or engage in preventive measures. Consequently, gender disparities in caregiving exacerbate women's vulnerability to O&E health emergencies, necessitating targeted interventions to address their specific needs and challenges.
In view of these, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) signed an agreement Investment Grant on “Gender Responsive Mechanisms for Epidemic Preparedness in ECOWAS to support the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide rapid and appropriate gender-sensitive responses to disease outbreaks and epidemics in the region. Under the direction of the ARC O&E and Gender Units and the support of the Country Engagement Managers, A Gender analysis, looking at the linkages between Gender, Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management in Nigeria was conducted. The TORs included an in-depth gender analysis of the health sector from the Outbreaks and Epidemics (O&E) perspective.
The analysis aimed to identify gaps & challenges and proposed recommendations for gender integration in O&E towards gender transformation of the sector in Nigeria.
With a targeted approach, the project aims to enhance gender-responsive mechanisms for epidemic preparedness in selected countries, placing particular emphasis on Nigeria. The backdrop of this initiative is woven into the fabric of Nigeria's socio-economic challenges, cultural diversity, and
susceptibility to climate-induced hazards and infectious disease outbreaks.

Key Findings

Primary Caregiver Role : Females assume the primary caregiver role in most of households during health emergencies.
Consideration of Gender Roles : Almost all Participants acknowledged considering gender roles in health intervention planning.
Limited Access for Women : limited access for women during epidemics, with disproportionate challenges faced by women in accessing essential healthcare services.
Enhanced Effectiveness through Gender Inclusivity : Involving both men and women significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of health interventions during crises.
Inadequate comprehensive gender-sensitive training programs for healthcare workers and other sectors in disaster risk management to address gender-specific health concerns during emergencies.
Inadequate data collection mechanisms for distinctive gender insights, capacity development/strengthening, and protocols for systematic gender-disaggregated data collection
Persistent Gaps : Though specific measures are taken during emergency planning, responses and during post-disaster, gaps persist in effectively addressing gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities, with varying levels of commitment observed across different aspects of gender integration within health sector and other allied
organizations.
Paucity and weak commitments by stakeholders in advancing gender-responsive policies to mitigate disparities, conducting thorough reviews, engaging stakeholders, and allocating resources to enhance gender responsiveness.
Weak collaboration efforts with gender-focused organizations to enhance/develop the gender responsiveness of health services and interventions.
Inadequate monitoring, learning, and evaluation frameworks to assess and address gender disparities in health service provision during emergencies.

Policy Recommendations

Gender-Inclusive Emergency Planning

Develop emergency plans with a gender-inclusive approach, incorporating gender considerations into planning processes to account for the diverse needs of different genders and include others with special needs.
Advocacy Action : Advocate for inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction legislative reforms to guarantee gender justice and respect for human rights.

Community Awareness

Implement targeted awareness campaigns to overcome gender biases and promote equitable access to healthcare by all.
Advocacy Action : Lobby for increased funding and resources dedicated to gender-sensitive interventions and training programs.

Enhanced Data Collection

Strengthen and prioritize data collection mechanisms for distinctive gender insights, investing in technology, training, and protocols for systematic gender-disaggregated data collection at all levels.
Advocacy Action : Engage with stakeholders to prioritize gender inclusivity in health emergency response planning and implementation.

Strengthen Policies

Reinforce gender-responsive policies to mitigate disparities, conducting thorough reviews, engaging stakeholders, and allocating resources to enhance gender responsiveness.
Advocacy Action : Collaborate with gender-focused organizations to leverage expertise and resources for addressing gender disparities in health service provision.

Inclusive Health Policies

Ensure the integration of gender perspectives in health policies, programs, and interventions to promote inclusivity and equitable access to healthcare services for all genders.
Advocacy Action : Advocate for gender mainstreaming in all aspects of health governance and programming.

Gender-Responsive Policies and Planning

Develop and implement gender-responsive policies and emergency plans that consider the unique needs of different genders at all levels genders.
Advocacy Action : Prioritize community partnerships and culturally sensitive communication methods for effective dissemination of health information.

Comprehensive Gender Training

Provide comprehensive gender-sensitive training programs for healthcare workers and other sectors in disaster risk management to address gender-specific health concerns during emergencies.
Advocacy Action : Advocate for gender mainstreaming in all aspects of health governance and programming to promote inclusivity.

Community Engagement and Awareness

Develop tailored communication strategies and inclusive outreach programs to raise awareness and ensure information dissemination reaches all genders.
Advocacy Action : Foster collaboration with gender-focused organizations to enhance the gender responsiveness of health services and interventions.

Data Collection and Monitoring

Strengthen gender-disaggregated data collection mechanisms and monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess and address gender disparities in health service provision during emergencies.
Advocacy Action : Establish robust monitoring systems and allocate resources for continuous assessment to address emerging disparities.

Collaborative Efforts

Foster collaboration with gender-focused organizations to enhance the gender responsiveness of health services and interventions.
Advocacy Action : Facilitate partnerships with organizations specializing in gender issues to leverage expertise and resources.

Addressing gender disparities in O&E emergency is essential for building resilience and promoting inclusivity in emergency healthcare response and recovery efforts in Nigeria. Implementation of the recommended policy interventions and advocacy actions will pave the way for a more equitable, responsive, and resilient healthcare system during emergencies.

References
1. Abdulsalam-Saghir and Akeredolu Mercy (2022). Gender-Mainstreaming Action Plan for Inclusive Sustainable Food Systems in Africa AUDA-NEPAD Project/Milestone 2.5/Activity 2.5.1/2022 by FARA.
2. United Nations Women Nigeria. (2020). Gender Dimensions of the COVID-19 Response in Nigeria : A Rapid Gender Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/- /media/headquarters/attachments/sections/office%20of%20the%20regional%20director/2020/un%20 women%20nigeria%20rapid%20gender%20analysis%20covid-19.pdf ?la=en&vs=5004
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Nigeria : Disease Outbreaks. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/countries/nga/emergencies/disease-outbreaks

Steps for Gender integration in Disaster Risk Management and Financing in Nigeria | Policy brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T20:28:22Z

Government of Nigeria
African Risk Capacity
5 p

Gender dynamics play a pivotal yet often overlooked role in the realm of Disaster Risk Management and Financing (DRM&F) in Nigeria. While disasters and emergencies do not discriminate, the impact they exert is often shaped by existing social structures, cultural norms, and gender roles within communities. Recognizing this, understanding the intersectionality of gender with disaster risk and response efforts is imperative for creating effective policies and strategies that address the diverse needs and vulnerabilities of all members of society. In Nigeria, where a myriad of natural and man- made hazards continually threatens the population's safety and well-being, integrating a gender perspective into DRM&F is not only a matter of equity but also a fundamental component of building resilience and ensuring sustainable development.
According to the World Risk Index 2021, Nigeria ranks 8th globally in terms of disaster risk, with factors such as exposure to natural hazards, socio-economic vulnerability, and lack of coping capacity contributing to the country's high risk profile (World Risk Report, 2021). Furthermore, the ARC Framework for Disaster Risk Management highlights the importance of gender-responsive approaches in DRM, recognizing that gender disparities can intensify vulnerabilities and hinder effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Gender disparities in Nigeria are pronounced across various dimensions, with women and girls often facing greater socio-economic and cultural barriers that exacerbate their vulnerability to disasters. For instance, women account for 49.5% of Nigeria's population but remain disproportionately affected by poverty, limited access to education, and restricted economic opportunities (National Bureau of Statistics, 2020).

In view of these, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) signed an agreement Investment Grant on “Gender Responsive Mechanisms for Epidemic Preparedness in ECOWAS to support the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide rapid and appropriate gender-sensitive responses to disease outbreaks and epidemics in the region.
Under the direction of the ARC O&E and Gender Units and the support of the Country Engagement Managers, a Gender analysis, looking at the linkages between Gender, Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management in Nigeria was conducted. The Terms of References included an in-depth gender analysis of the health sector from the Disaster Risk Management and Financing (DRM&F) perspective. The analysis aimed to identify gaps & challenges and proposed recommendations for gender integration in DRM&F towards gender transformation of the sector in Nigeria.
With a targeted approach, the project aims to enhance gender-responsive mechanisms for Disaster and Risk preparedness, response and post-disaster Management in selected countries, placing particular emphasis on Nigeria. The backdrop of this initiative is entwined into the fabric of Nigeria's socio-economic challenges, cultural diversity, and susceptibility to climate-induced hazards and DRM&F.

Key Findings

Perception of Gender Neutrality : Most leadership positions during disasters are influenced by traditional gender roles, indicating a prevalent perception of gender neutrality within the DRM&F sector.
Preference for Male Leadership : There is preference for male leadership during disasters, highlighting a gender bias that could hinder achieving gender diversity in critical leadership roles.
Flexibility in Role Assignment : Half of all the Stakeholders are in agreements on whether roles during disaster response are skill-based or conform to traditional gender norms, suggesting a need for improvement in promoting skill-based assignments in DRM.
Perceived Impact of Gender Dynamics : Resource access during disasters are more challenging for women and people with varying challenges, hence the urgency for and of inclusivity and addressing gender disparities in resource allocation strategies.
Awareness and Implementation of Gender-Responsive Measures : While awareness of existing gender-responsive measures is high, their limited integration into DRM&F policies and strategies rated ≤3 (on a scale of 1-10) signals a critical gap.
Challenges in Addressing Gender Disparities : Identified challenges include inadequate resources for gender-sensitive interventions and insufficient training on gender integration for emergency responders.
Effectiveness of Gender-Responsive Measures : Though most of the stakeholders perceive existing gender-responsive measures to be effective, only a few report observable improvements in the resilience of vulnerable groups.

Policy Recommendations

Leadership Diversity and Sensitization

Implement targeted sensitization programs to enhance awareness about the benefits of diverse leadership.
Policy Action : - Launch campaigns promoting gender diversity in leadership roles during disasters, emphasizing the value of varied perspectives.

Skill-Based Role Assignments

Introduce guidelines emphasizing skill-based role assignments in disaster response.
Policy Action : - Mandate the adoption of skill-based criteria for role assignments in DRM&F policies, ensuring equitable distribution of responsibilities.

Enhanced Integration of Gender- Responsive Measures

Develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating gender-responsive measures into DRM&F policies.
Policy Action : - Establish a task force responsible for overseeing the integration of gender-responsive measures into all DRM&F activities, with regular progress reports.

Community Engagement and Awareness

Develop community-centric awareness campaigns challenging gender biases.
Policy Action : Partner with local NGOs and community leaders to conduct awareness campaigns on gender equality in disaster response, using culturally sensitive messaging.

Capacity Building and Collaboration

Strengthen institutional capacity building initiatives and foster collaboration with gender-focused organizations.
Policy Action : Establish a joint task force comprising DRM&F agencies and gender- focused NGOs to develop training modules and coordinate capacity-building efforts.

Policy Advocacy for Gender Mainstreaming

Advocate for the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in all DRM&F policies.
Policy Action : Lobby for the inclusion of gender mainstreaming provisions in DRM&F legislation, with a focus on promoting gender equality and inclusivity.

Resource Allocation and Training

Allocate dedicated resources for gender- sensitive interventions and provide training on gender disparities.
Policy Action : Allocate a specific budget for gender-sensitive programs within DRM&F agencies and require mandatory gender training for all emergency responders and other sectors.

Regular Assessment of Gender- Responsive Measures

Establish a mechanism for the regular assessment of the effectiveness of existing gender- responsive measures.
Policy Action : Institutionalize a biennial review process for monitoring and evaluating the impact of gender- responsive measures on disaster resilience, with actionable recommendations for improvement.

Data Collection and Monitoring

Invest in robust data collection mechanisms and monitoring frameworks.
Policy Action : Allocate funding for the development of gender-disaggregated data collection tools and establish a dedicated unit within DRM&F agencies for gender monitoring and evaluation.

Aligned Coping Mechanisms

Develop gender-specific coping mechanisms aligned with community preferences.
Policy Action : Conduct gender-sensitive assessments of community needs and preferences to inform the design and implementation of coping mechanisms, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness.

Addressing gender disparities in Disaster Risk Management and financing is imperative for building resilience and promoting inclusivity in disaster response efforts in Nigeria. Implementing the recommended policy actions will pave the way for a more equitable, responsive, and resilient approach to disaster risk management and financing, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis.

References :
1. Abdulsalam-Saghir and Akeredolu Mercy (2022). Gender-Mainstreaming Action Plan for Inclusive Sustainable Food Systems in Africa AUDA-NEPAD Project/Milestone 2.5/Activity 2.5.1/2022 by FARA
2. National Bureau of Statistics. (2020). Nigeria Poverty and Inequality Report 2019 : Executive Summary. Abuja, Nigeria : National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved from https://nigeria.opendataforafrica.org/bjdhwx/nigeria-poverty-and-inequality-report-2019- executive-summary
3. World Risk Report. (2021). World Risk Index 2021. Berlin, Germany : United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EH) https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-risk-report-2021

Intégration de la dimension de genre dans la gestion des risques de catastrophe, la sécurité alimentaire et les flambées épidémiques en Afrique | Policy brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T20:08:01Z

Préparé par la Mutuelle panafricaine de gestion des risques (ARC), la Direction Femmes, Genre et Développement de la CUA et l'unité de coordination RRC de la CUA.
Août 2023
Document d'orientation élaboré à partir des recommandations formulées lors de la série inaugurale de dialogues politiques sur la dimension de genre, la RRC, les foyers et flambées épidémiques et la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique, tenue les 4 et 5 juillet 2023 à Addis-Abeba.

- Documentation / Note d'information , Ethiopie, Intégration de la dimension de genre, Gestion des risques de catastrophes

Ações Prioritárias para a Integração de Género na Gestão de Riscos de Desastres e na Prevenção e Resposta a Surtos e Epidemias na Guiné-Bissau | Policy Brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T19:53:57Z

Government of Guinea Bissau, African Risk Capacity, 13 p., 2024.

Desastres, surtos de doenças e epidemias não são experimentados de forma uniforme por todos os membros na sociedade. A vulnerabilidade e a exposição a desastres e epidemias são determinadas pelas diferenças nos papéis e responsabilidades sociais de mulheres e homens e o sexo feminino é afetado numa forma desproporcional. Relativamente as mulheres e meninas, a expectativa de que cumpram os seus papéis e responsabilidades enquanto prestadoras de cuidados às suas famílias impõe-lhes trabalhos e deveres adicionais durante e depois de desastres, surtos de doenças e epidemias.
A fraqueza verificada nas estruturas de gestão de desastres e epidemias na Guiné-Bissau se deve em parte à fraca integração da perspetiva de género nas políticas, estratégias, planos e programas, ou seja, a falta de abordar as diferencias de género relativamente a vulnerabilidade, impactos de desastres e epidemias, estratégias para os enfrentar e medidas de respostas as emergências.

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Apoiar mecanismos de financiamento do risco de desastres e epidemias com perspetiva de integração de género

Procurar formas de financiamento do risco de desastres e da resposta a emergências sanitárias que promovem a inclusão das mulheres e a igualdade do género na base de uma avaliação das necessidades e preferências das mulheres e raparigas para adaptar e direcionar produtos financeiros que atendam a estas condições especificas de género ;

Conceber programas e plataformas de financiamento específicos, centrados na melhoria dos meios de subsistência e da resiliência de mulheres e homens vulneráveis ;
Incorporar uma gama completa de produtos financeiros, incluindo crédito acessível a longo prazo para investimento, uma vez que o acesso das mulheres aos serviços financeiros (bancos) na Guiné-Bissau ainda é baixo e quase inexistente nas zonas rurais em que muitas vezes as mulheres são a maioria das pessoas vulneráveis e pobres ;
Elaborar junto aos parceiros uma caixa de ferramentas de financiamento (financing toolbox) que pré-classifica os desastres, os seus níveis de impacto em homens e mulheres e atribui antecipadamente ferramentas de financiamento e fontes de financiamento a esses desastres ;
Assegurar mecanismo de ativação e mobilização de fundos para uma utilização imediata durante as emergências, criação de fundos de emergência com os parceiros e várias instituições nacionais ;
Disponibilizar uma maior proporção de recursos diretamente às organizações de mulheres de base para apoiar as mulheres como agentes de mudança ;
Incluir um orçamento específico para garantir a igualdade de género nas ações de emergência ou uma percentagem do fundo fixo dirigido a projetos inclusivos (jovens, mulheres) ;
Aumentar e acompanhar a utilização e o impacto de recursos específicos (incluindo financiamento misto) destinados a promover o empoderamento das mulheres na gestão de riscos de desastres e surtos e epidemias.

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Gender-Responsive Outbreaks & Epidemics and Disaster Risk Management in Ghana | Policy Brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T19:14:23Z

Government of Ghana
African Risk Capacity
4 p
2024

Background

Ghana, located on the West African coast, is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. Its climate is tropical, with two main seasons : the wet season from April to September and the dry season from October to March.
Ghana faces various natural disasters, including floods, droughts, coastal erosion, and occasional outbreaks of diseases like cholera. Flooding is particularly prevalent during the rainy season due to poor drainage systems and urbanization. Coastal erosion affects coastal communities, leading to loss of land and displacement of people.

This Policy Brief highlights the gender specific gaps and opportunities for gender mainstreaming in disasters related national and local-level policies, institutions and programs in order to give equal weight to the rights as well as capacities of both men and women.

Policy and Institutional Mechanisms

Despite efforts to address gender disparities, systemic norms still affect women's participation and contribution to societal issues in Ghana. However, the country has made strides in promoting gender equality, including initiatives to increase women's representation in leadership positions across various sectors.
Even though policies such as the National Gender Policy (2015), Health Sector Gender Policy (2009) and Ghana Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation policy (2011–2015) offer transformative approaches aimed at enhancing women's resilience to disasters, the nuanced roles, needs, and expertise of men and women and the methods of managing them during disaster situations require intentional gender integration.
The National Gender Policy (2015) recognize the importance of addressing gender disparities in disaster risk management (DRM) and outbreak and epidemic (O&E) response. However, there is a need for structured implementation strategies to ensure women's protection and participation during crises.
Women are often excluded from crucial activities like planning, budgeting, and data collection, resulting in decisions being made without adequately considering their perspectives. At the local level, women are vulnerable because they are secondary recipients of valuable information that could affect their ability to cope during disaster situations.

Most decision-making positions are occupied by men and where women have been invited to the table, the reluctance to voice their concerns because of shyness or the fear of speaking in the presence of their partners has been a major challenge to having policies and programmes that effectively benefit women's health, support disaster management, outbreaks and relief efforts.
Gender disparities persist in DRM and O&E response, with women often excluded from decision-making processes and facing challenges in accessing valuable information. Addressing these gaps and integrating gender perspectives into policies and programs is essential for effective disaster management and response efforts in Ghana.

Key Points

Disasters have a differential impact on women, men and persons with disabilities.
The exposure and vulnerability of women and persons with disabilities to disaster risk can be reduced through equal access to disaster resilient information and inclusive decision-making structures.
Access to sex and disability disaggregated data could heelp in fine-tuning DRM and O&E
initiatives to effectively address the different needs of the various groups.
Building the capacity and empowering women can help them to contribute to DRM, outbreak and emergencies response and recovery efforts.

Key Challenges

Patriarchal Leadership Systems. Women are inadequately represented in leadership and decision-making systems meaning that the specific needs and risks faced by women, dring disaster situations are rarely prioritized.
Insufficient Funding for Gender Programmes. Inadequate, delayed funding hampers gender-responsive disasters efforts.
Insufficient Disaggregated Data. Lock of disaggregated data hinders inclusive disaster management.
Inadequate Technical Capacity of Stakeholders to Mainstream Gender into Disaster Situations. Limited stakeholder knowledge hampers gender-inclusive disaster management

Policy Recommendations

Integrating Gender Perspective in Disaster Risk Management and Financing (DRM&F) and Outbreaks and Epidemics (O&E) in Sierra Leone | Policy Brief

Thierry — 2024-08-14T15:20:32Z

Government of Sierra Leone
African Risk Capacity
5 p

Sierra Leone is a small but densely populated country in West Africa with a population of approximately 7 million and a land area of 72,325 Km2. The country is divided into five main geographical regions : the coastline, interior lowland plains, interior plateau, the mountains, and the Freetown Peninsula.
Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, alternating between dry and dusty periods (December to April) and rainy season (May to November) monsoons with torrential rains and flooding. The climate and geography of Sierra Leone leave the population exposed to both natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and tropical storms, as well as infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Meningitis, and Dengue Fever.
From 2010 to 2019, natural disasters affected roughly 43.7 thousand people and claimed over 1,150 lives in Sierra Leone (EM-DAT, 2020).
Recent major disasters are linked to episodes of heavy rain, including the 2019 flash floods in Freetown, the 2017 flood, and the Sugar Loaf landslide in the Western Area.
This policy brief highlights the existing gaps/challenges faced by the country and makes recommendations for the effective integration of gender in policies and programmes relating to DRM and O&E response.

Outbreaks and disasters are not gender neutral and women and men experience disasters and outbreaks differently.

Available evidence from previous disease outbreaks and disasters indicates severe economic damage and loss of lives with disproportionate effects on the poorest and most vulnerable particularly women and children. The differential impact is attributed to socially prescribed gender norms and behavior that perpetuate gender inequality ; the gendered division of labor between men and women ; and gender-related differences in access to and control over productive resources. For instance, during EVD, more women (56.7%) than men (43.3%) were affected. This is evident in the August 2019 Flood and mudslide in Freetown as out of 1,817 affected households, 968 are female headed, 754 males headed and 95 children–headed.
Moreover, during the EVD outbreak there was a sharp decline in maternal health indicators ; increased vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence ; and a decline and disruption in women's agricultural productivity and small –scale businesses.

Sierra Leone's Legislative, Policy and Institutional Achievements in DRM and O&E

As a consequence of the socio-economic impact of natural disasters and disease outbreaks, the Government of Sierra Leone has shown considerable efforts to improve efficiency in DRM and Public Health emergency preparedness and response through the adoption and establishment of legislative, policy, and institutional frameworks and mechanisms to effectively prevent, mitigate, and respond to epidemics and recover from their aftermath.

These include :

Adoption of National Disaster Risk Management Policy (NDRMP) in 2018.
Passing of the National Disaster Management Act (2020) and the establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency.
Establishment of Public Health National Emergency Operations Center (PHNEOC) in 2016 as a response to the 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak.
Passage of Public Health Act (2023) and establishment of the National Public Health Agency.
Commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone in Disaster Risk Financing to create Emergency Trust Fund (ETF) as provided in the National Disaster Management Act. Moreover, the Ministry of Finance is drafting a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy.
Adoption of the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) Policy and GEWE Act in 2020 and 2022 respectively represent significant milestones in efforts to integrate a gender perspective in DRM and O&E prevention and response.

Important Gaps/Challenges including the following

Gender perspective not fully integrated into O&E and DRM legislative, policy and institutional frameworks.

Apart from the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) Act and Policy, existing legislative and policy frameworks within the O&E and DRM sectors : such as the National Disaster Management Act, 2020, Public Health Act, and National Disaster Management Policy, 2018 do not have gender-specific provisions.

Limited capacity to mainstream gender within the O&E and DRM sectors.

Although few personnel (including gender focal persons) within Sierra Leone's national DRM and Public Health institutions have some basic gender training, the capacity for effective mainstreaming of gender requires more comprehensive training for all staff at national and sub-national levels.

No gender parity in relation to women's participation and representation, especially at field levels.

Although there are promising efforts in terms of women's representation at leadership and programme levels in the health and DRM sectors, generally women participation at community or field levels is low.

Existence of social norms and practices.

Restricting women's role to predominantly reproductive work (caring for household members) limits their participation and representation in public decision-making bodies.

In-effective mechanisms to prevent, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence,

especially sexual exploitation and abuse during emergencies.

Financing and Budgeting is ad hoc, limited, and not gender-responsive.

The Disaster Management Fund and Public Health Emergency Trust Fund are yet to be established. DRM and Public health financing remain relatively low and at best ad hoc. Also, there is no evidence of gender-responsive budgeting in the DRM and public health emergency sector.

Key Policy Recommendations

Integrate gender transformative approaches into institutional policies and strategic frameworks : formulate gender-specific institutional policies for DRM and public health sectors ; and review existing policies and Strategic Plans : National Disaster Management Policy (2018), NDMA Strategic Plan (2020-2024, Draft National Disaster Risk Financing Strategy.

Strengthen capacity for effective mainstreaming of gender across O&E and DRM sectors : establish and formalize gender units in all related government institutions and conduct gender mainstreaming training for all DRM and Health sector staff.

Improve funding capacity for O&E response and DRM : establish and operationalize the Disaster Management Fund and Public Health Emergency Trust Fund ; facilitate policy dialogues and donor forums to mobilize resources for DRM and Public Health financing ; explore funding opportunity provided through the African Risk Capacity's Parametric Risk Transfer Insurance mechanism ; and roll-out Gender Responsive Budgeting in all sectors including Health and DRM sectors.

Increase community awareness and knowledge of the interlinkages between O&E, Disasters and Gender- Hold community radio panel discussions ; and develop and disseminate risk communication messages to address the specific needs and concerns of different genders, age groups and people with disabilities ; and engagement with diverse community groups.

Strengthen Coordination of gender-sensitive DRM and Public Health Emergency- Establish a multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism ; and convene multi-stakeholder Coordination Meetings.

Reference for Further Reading :
Report : Gender Analysis of Outbreak and Epidemics (0&E) and Disaster Management Sector in Sierra Leone