High-level Workshop on Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives in Eastern Africa

The world is persistently grappling with disasters, and Eastern Africa, particularly, stands out as one of the most vulnerable regions. Its susceptibility to various hazards, such as weather-related events, conflicts, and geological disturbances, has resulted in substantial devastation due to its heightened sensitivity and limited adaptability. In response, numerous nations in Eastern Africa have formulated individual disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies, frameworks, and strategies aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030, aiming to curtail the impact of these calamities. However, even with these advancements, there exists a noticeable absence of gender inclusivity in both practical implementation and policy formulation.

The Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (Africa CSID) played an active role in a consultative workshop for Eastern Africa. The workshop’s primary objective was to establish a platform for south-south cooperation, fostering discussions centered around the state of DRR initiatives – encompassing policies, strategies, projects, and programs – through the lens of gender and social inclusion. This significant gathering was hosted by the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa and brought together diverse stakeholders including government representatives, NGOs, CSOs, humanitarian organizations, researchers, academia, and development partners.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Kenyan Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, State Department of Internal Security and National Administration. In his opening speech, he not only reaffirmed the Kenyan Government’s dedication to incorporating gender perspectives into DRR policies and actions but also stressed the importance of a collaborative approach in executing DRR initiatives.

Upon its conclusion, the workshop yielded a communiqué focused on Gender Responsive DRR. This statement solidified the commitment of all participants, along with their respective countries and organizations, to infuse gender considerations into DRR efforts, commencing with the gender-sensitive transformation of DRR policies

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