WHLM recognise that natural disasters exacerbate existing gender inequalities and cause unequal health, social and economic outcomes that disproportionately affect women, including an increase in gendered violence. Considering the unique challenges that the 2022 Victorian floods in our region presented for women, WHLM responded with a multifaceted approach to support gender equality and women’s wellbeing approaches in emergency planning and management.
Included in this approach was the support of a range of community initiatives through the provision of $90,000 in quick response flood recovery grants aiming to foster connection and support women’s wellbeing; consultation with women across the Loddon Mallee to build a greater understanding of their experiences through an online survey and a series of focus groups held in Cohuna, Boort, Rochester, Mildura, Central Goldfields, and Echuca; and funded delivery of a series of Gender and Disaster Australia (GADAUS) workshops across the region to grow knowledge and skills to apply a gender lens in recovery and response planning.
Free Lessons in Disaster Training
GADAUS’s award-winning Lessons in Disaster training is available at no charge, with sessions offered in-person and online.
With the heightened probability of more intense and frequent disasters due to climate change, coupled with social fragmentation and mounting pressure on emergency services, communities face growing challenges in recovery. Extended recovery periods will have an adverse effect on families, partners, and specific vulnerable groups. Research has demonstrated an upsurge in domestic and family violence following such disasters.
Their Lessons in Disaster training will help participants understand:
- The distinct experiences of women, men, and LGBTIQA+ people during disasters.
- How gender roles often expect men to protect and provide while women are expected to prioritise nurturing others at the expense of their own safety.
- That LGBTIQA+ people’s needs are frequently overlooked in disaster situations.
- That applying a gendered lens at every stage of disaster leads to stronger and As Australia grapples with COVID-19, it is more critical than ever to understand the impact of gendered expectations in disasters. Gender and Disaster Australia was established to promote an understanding of the role played by gender in survivor responses to disaster, and to embed these insights into the emergency management, health and community sectors. ‘Disaster’ includes pandemics as well as bushfires, floods and other emergencies.
The following Lessons in Disaster Training Sessions are offered free of charge:
9th + 10th Nov – ONLINE
9th November – Melbourne
28th November – Hepburn
If you are unable to participate on these dates, or would like to arrange in-house training (online or in-person) for your organisation, please:
Send queries to Asminah Cohen: a.cohen@gadaustralia.com.au
