Engaging Women in Community Based Disaster Management Programmes

Abstract

With rapid scientific and technical advancement, man's life has improved in almost every sphere, but in the field of disaster risk, this has not been of much impact, rather to some extent there is a vicious relationship between the two. It has been noticed that many a times unthoughtful steps towards development have exaggerated and triggered the natural conditions to manifest as disasters. Therefore, disaster management has become priority task for the governments. This is crucial for sustainable development. The focus of disaster management strategies has shifted from government efforts to the involvement of communities. Building of disaster - resilient societies is thought to be the most appropriate measure to mitigate the problem.

It is realized that community based disaster programmes are more effective because they work in harmony with the local population. But most such programmes involve male population. Bringing women into the folds of disaster management mechanism can create a deeper impact because at the basic level of society they are the ones who bear the brunt and toil for post crisis recovery.