The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Sashi Kiran, has stressed the importance of continuing to support women and girls to become leaders, especially in preparing for and responding to disasters and climate change in the Pacific.
Speaking at a Donor Roundtable on Women’s Leadership in Disaster and Climate Resilience, Minister Kiran. She called for stronger partnerships and more support to help women lead in building safer and more resilient communities.
The Minister thanked the Government of Australia for its strong support to the Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programme which is run by UN Women. She also thanked all the development partners and regional organisations that are helping women and girls become leaders in disaster risk management.
Minister Kiran shared some of the progress made in Fiji, stating that UN Women’s data shows that more than 50 government agencies and women’s groups have improved their ability to include women’s needs and views in disaster planning.
Moreover, about 700 women, including women with disabilities, have taken part in national meetings to help shape early warning systems and policies for disaster preparedness. Also, over 160 women in 16 villages have started using business strategies that can survive disasters.
Minister Kiran confirmed that the Government will continue to improve early warning systems, act early before disasters strike, and make sure that gender is considered in all disaster-related planning and budgets.
“The Pacific is facing serious challenges from climate change,” she said.
“Our people are dealing with many risks at once. We need to work together, stay committed, and make sure women and girls are heard and supported.”