Recognising Women Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction

The Women’s International Network on Disaster Reduction (WIN DRR) will award two women their exemplary leadership role in disaster risk reduction.

This inaugural WIN DRR Leadership Awards will be presented on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13 2021.

The search that closed on September 17 2021, is looking for women who have demonstrated leadership and are changing the previously male-dominated field using inclusive approaches.

There will be two awards up for grabs:

• the Rising Star Award, which will be granted to an individual woman who has demonstrated high potential early in her career, and
• the Excellence Award, which will be granted to an individual woman who has achieved professional success in DRR

“The Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction empowers women in leadership and promotes their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in the Asia and the Pacific region,” said Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of UNDRR. The WIN DRR Leadership Awards will celebrate the women who are leading the way towards a safer, more resilient world (UNDRR announces, 2021).

The WIN DRR is supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Australian Government to promote and support women’s leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia Pacific.

According to the UNDRR, the award supports and aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction that 187 countries signed in 2016. The framework outlines the inclusive all-of-society approach to reduce disaster risk. It acknowledges the vulnerabilities of women during disasters due to pervasive gender inequality while recognising their indispensable role in risk reduction efforts. The Sendai Framework emphasises gender equity and a universal approach as key and encourages women’s leadership in building resilience (Booklet: Women’s International Network, 2021).

“Enhancing Women’s Leadership in Humanitarian Action, Crisis Response and Disaster Risk Reduction: UN Women’s Approach” discusses women’s important role in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian efforts:

• they are often the first responders,
• key in delivering humanitarian response especially in hard-to-reach areas,
• play a role in refugee communities, disaster preparedness and recovery at the individual, household, community, and national levels,
• making life-saving contributions and resilience building.