The Need for More Women in Disaster Risk Governance and Leadership Positions

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By Camila Tapias is a Global Disaster Resilience Specialist at SPIN Global, where she leads the Business and Industry and International practice areas. She is also the Communications Director and Equity program co-lead with the ARISE-US Network.

Disaster risk governance and leadership are critical aspects of disaster management, and it is essential to have diverse perspectives and representation in these roles. Women represent half of the world's population and are disproportionately affected by disasters. However, they are often underrepresented in disaster risk governance and leadership roles. In this blog, I will discuss the need for more women in disaster risk governance and leadership roles and how this can benefit disaster management efforts.

Women are often at a disadvantage during disasters, as they are more likely to experience gender-based violence, face higher risks of illness and injury, and have limited access to essential resources such as clean water and sanitation facilities. Women's needs and perspectives are crucial to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are adequately protected and supported to achieve equity and resilience for all.

Despite this, women continue to be underrepresented in disaster risk governance and leadership roles. According to the 2019 United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, women make up only 21% of national disaster management agency staff worldwide. In multiple countries, women are excluded from decision-making processes related to disaster management, leaving their voices unheard.

The lack of women in disaster risk governance and leadership roles can have negative consequences for DRR efforts. Without women's input and diverse representation, disaster management plans and policies may not reflect the needs and concerns of the whole community. Having more women in leadership roles can bring significant benefits to disaster management efforts, as they bring unique structural and cultural differences and experiences to the table.

Additionally, research has shown that increasing women's participation in decision-making processes can lead to better outcomes for all members of society. To ensure that women are adequately represented in leadership positions, organizations and communities need to promote gender equality and address the barriers that prevent women from accessing these positions in the first place. For example, this may include initiatives to increase women's education and training in disaster management, as well as efforts to address gender biases and stereotypes, which impact their advancement opportunities in leadership roles. ARISE-US is committed to working with community partners to empower and support women, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).

As a society, we need to recognize that when women are involved in decision-making, there is a greater likelihood that policies, programs, and initiatives will be more equitable, responsive, and aligned to the needs of a community.