Workshop on gender considerations in emergencies, recovery efforts held

 

During natural disasters and emergencies, vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities face greater challenges. It is necessary to shift from a general approach that provides equal assistance to everyone toward a gender-responsive approach that carefully analyzes and addresses needs based on gender differences when carrying out emergency response and recovery activities, according to the workshop on gender considerations in emergencies and recovery efforts.

The workshop is being held at Hotel Max in Nay Pyi Taw from 4 to 6 August, with the participation of 40 representatives from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

At the opening ceremony of the workshop, Chairperson of the Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs and Union Minister for Women’s Affairs Dr Thet Thet Zin said that Myanmar has incorporated the priority area of “Women and Emergency Situations” into the National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women. She added that the National Committee on Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence has also been systematically established and is carrying out its duties. She said that incorporating gender considerations into emergencies and recovery processes would help strengthen cooperation among government departments, local authorities, community organizations and partner organizations. She emphasized the need to enhance the capacity of personnel involved in planning and implementing projects so that gender perspectives can be given due consideration. She also encouraged participants to exchange views and discuss ways to effectively apply a gender lens in every stage of disaster response operation during the workshop.

Also present at the event were deputy ministers Daw San San Nwe and Dr Thant Zaw Lin and relevant departmental officials.

MNA/KTZH

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