Mainstreaming Gender in Disaster Risk Reduction

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The new millennium is facing many natural disasters having huge impact on human lives and assets. The magnitude of disasters is currently increasing. The nature of impact of disaster varies based on gender. The coping capacity of male and female is different. Prevailing gender roles and power relations determine to a great degree the nature and extent of capacities present in any community or society. Women always get excluded from the Disaster Risk Reduction programme. It has become crucial to adopt a gender sensitive approach in all disaster risk reduction programmes since it builds women’s capacity and resource and makes them empowered. Gender mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction is inter-linked process to the mainstreaming of disaster reduction into sustainable development policies and activities. 
 
This initiative is taken up by GSDMA to focus on Women as one of the most vulnerable groups and as invisible force for resilient community. The purpose is to make DRR inclusive of the needs and capacities of women and make them participants of disaster management process.
 
Currently the project is at its initial phase in which the SHGs (Self Help Groups, also known as Sakhi Mandals) are targeted. Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC), a government company is involved in the formation and management of the SHGs in the state. The work for this project is done in co-operation with GLPC. This project is implemented in the 9 villages (3 villages each from 3 coastal districts).
 
Sr. No.DistrictVillage
1. Jamnagar Mewasa, Vasai, Varvala
2. Porbandar Tukdagosa, Zavar, Garej
3. Junagadh Chhara, Kadvar, Lati