The Pacific is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Disaster risks converge with critical socio-economic vulnerabilities, environmental degradation, climate change, and more recently COVID-19, making the Pacific a disaster hotspot. Annual economic losses from disasters in the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) more than doubled between 2017 and 2019.
UN Women in partnership with the Australian Government are implementing the innovative Women's Resilience to Disasters Programme (WRD) in the region. It aims to render the lives and livelihoods of women and girls resilient to disasters, including climate-related disasters and health pandemics, in order to contribute to sustainable, secure, and thriving communities. It is initially being piloted in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Explore publications, tools, women's perspectives, case studies, and expert insights focused on building women's resilience to disasters and threats in the Pacific region, in the collections below.
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Midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030: gender guidance -
Toolkit for assessing women's leadership in disaster and climate resilience -
WRD Policy Tracker -
Guidelines for Gender integration in the displacement and protection clusters
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Vasiti Soko, the first woman Director of Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office, and the winner of the WIN DRR leadership award 2021 reflects on the benefits of women's leadership in reducing disaster risks.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Katarina has established a fish hatchery, as a source of juvenile fish for new farmers, helping build their resilience.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Aileen’s diversified agri-tourism business model has helped her remain resilient despite being affected by multiple disasters.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
“…I decided to bring about change in the lives of my people."Explore More Women's Perspectives -
"See me for my ability, not for my disability"Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Seruwaia advocates for knowledge sharing and working together to build resilience.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
“I try to assist the community in the outer islands to build their resilience against climate change by facilitating trainings."Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Vitila is working to empower other women.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
As a farmer herself, Lavinia knows the importance of having a voice at the table.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
"We need a strong and healthy body to deal with sea level rising."Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Esther, who works with the Red Cross, is helping communities in Kiribati build forward better.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
“Our ability to adapt is what resilience is all about. Being resilient can help us overcome hardship.”Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Vara's advocacy resulted in a new cyclone resilient market building, so: "when Cyclone Harold came, this market was here. The vendors were safe here."Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Semi believes that men have an important role to play in transforming the social norms that discriminate against women.Explore More Women's Perspectives -
Laisa shared that as a woman from a farming family, and now running her own farm, she is not always taken seriously.Explore More Women's Perspectives
WRD experts from across the region, share their views on the underlying root causes of unequal disaster and climate risks and identify opportunities for change and emerging good practice.
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Vara Maismia, Former President, Rakiraki Market Vendors Association in Fiji
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Sharon Bhagwan-RollsTechnical adviser -
Malashree BhargavaHumanitarian and disaster risk reduction advisor -
Emily DwyerCo-director -
Julia HarteliusIndependent consultant/Ph.D. candidate -
Hannah IrvingSenior legal consultant – human rights and disaster law/management -
Sangeeta MangubhaiConsultant -
Mary PicardDirector and senior consultant
WRD Community of Practice
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