In the face of disaster impact, women disproportionately bear a severe burden, with mortality rates 14 times higher than men, exacerbating gender inequalities due to caregiving responsibilities and limited decision-making power. Standing at the intersection of resilience and inclusivity, as a commitment towards rectifying these gender imbalances in decision-making and governance in DRR, Caritas India with support of START Network and in technical partnership with Change Alliance conducted a research study on barriers and opportunities for Women Inclusive DRR Governance. This study aimed to strengthen women’s leadership and participation in humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction (DRR) governance across disaster-prone areas in India—Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and Sunderbans in West Bengal.

Taking this study forward, Caritas India conducted an event named “SheLeads” for “Strengthening Women Leadership & Participation in Humanitarian Action and DRR governance” with the objective of promoting women’s leadership at the grassroots level. This event’s prime focus was to disseminate the study’s findings and engage in peer review on the framework for action, in a Roundtable conference at the YMCA on February 28, 2024.

Eminent personalities and delegates, including Shri Kamal Kishore, HOD NDMA, Mr. Krishna Vatsa Member NDMA, Ms. Kanta Singh from UN Women, and Ms. Joana Villaflor from START Network, graced the event. During his inaugural address, Fr. Dr. Jolly, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India, underscored the critical imperative of prioritizing women’s involvement in decision-making, planning, and resource allocation for effective disaster risk reduction.

Ms. Kanta Singh, drawing on her diverse experience across various portfolios in UN agencies, emphasized the need to go beyond the physical presence of women, actively listening to their voices, and meaningfully incorporating them into policies.

Joana Villaflor highlighted how START Network’s active support in establishing local hubs has facilitated community-led efforts in nine countries grappling with high disaster and climate risks. She further explained that the roundtable platform serves as a space for streamlined discussions aimed at enhancing the resilience of women, acknowledging their vulnerability to disasters.
Bringing together gender and DRR experts from over 40 diverse national-level NGOs, CSOs and government stakeholders such as UNDP UN Women, Sphere India, CASA, SEEDS, TANYAK, CDDMASS, Christian Aid, HAI, Bal Raksha Bharat, NEADS, Mukti, this roundtable leveraged their collective expertise towards crafting robust action plans, comprehensive DRR strategies, specifically designed to enhance women’s leadership and participation in disaster resilience efforts. This collaborative effort stood as a promise to bring about meaningful change, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness in our approach to disaster risk reduction.

In an effort to make the framework for action more robust, the roundtable discussion emphasized measures for focusing on intersectionality among women for response, gender-responsive DRR, and proposing an inclusive and exclusive approach to humanitarian responses. Innovative ideas, such as gender and social audits for organizations, mapping funding sources, capacity-building for gender-sensitive budgeting, and mentorship programs for women in leadership, were discussed as a continuum to this event, promising meaningful change, inclusivity, and effectiveness in disaster risk reduction approaches.

Caritas India recognizes the importance of empowering women in disaster response isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity. Their perspectives, experiences, and leadership are indispensable in crafting effective strategies for a safer and more secure world. In an aim towards building a more resilient and inclusive world, Caritas India has planned to take the feedback and discussions from this roundtable conference in drafting some key recommendations for humanitarian and policy stakeholders in India.