- By Mihir R. Bhatt, AIDMI, and Muhammad Taher, Founding Members of Duryog Nivaran
The availability of disaggregated data is crucial for ensuring inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies. This year, the Gender Stakeholder Group for the Asia Pacific Partnership, in collaboration with Duryog Nivaran, is conducting a webinar series aimed at supporting the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) recommendations. The recent webinar, titled “Strengthening Disaggregated Data for Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction,” was the second in this webinar series.
During the session, participants emphasized that the collection, analysis, and effective use of sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data are critical to developing inclusive DRR policies and practices. Increased engagement among government and non-government stakeholders was also identified as essential. The webinar was chaired by Dr. P.G. Dhar Chakrabarti, Swami Vivekananda Chair at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute in India.
The discussion centered on five key areas requiring further attention. Madhavi Ariyabandu, Director of Duryog Nivaran, highlighted the necessity for further research in these areas to drive transformative and sustainable changes in her opening remarks.
The key five takeaways from the Webinar could be summarized as follows:
1. Humanitarian Disability Needs Estimation Screening Tool (HD-NEST): address disparities
The HD-NEST plays a vital role in collecting inclusive disaster data. By utilizing self-reported functional questions and incorporating gender-sensitive indicators, HD-NEST reveals disparities in accessing assistive devices and information related to caregiving burdens, which disproportionately affect women with disabilities. Tools such as HD-NEST are essential for ensuring comprehensive and inclusive data collection.
2. The Missing Voices Approach (MVA): helps to amplify voices of the marginalised
The Missing Voices Approach addresses structural gaps in disaster preparedness by reaching out to the most disadvantaged communities often excluded from mainstream data systems, including those facing intersectional discrimination based on gender, disability, ethnicity, or geography. This approach underscores the importance of participatory methods and fosters trust, ensuring equitable and effective Early Warning Systems (EWS).
3. Nuanced Understanding of Vulnerabilities in Early Warning Systems
Disasters impact women and men differently, often leaving marginalized gender groups at a greater disadvantage. Providing information in multiple languages and formats, along with targeted support such as cash transfers and healthcare services in safe spaces, as advocated by the Missing Voices Approach, is essential for transforming EWS into more inclusive systems.
4. Cambodia: A Pioneer in Gender Indicators in National Statistical Systems
Cambodia has taken significant steps to integrate gender indicators into its national statistical systems and employs robust sampling methods. These initiatives aim to institutionalize community resilience through gender-disaggregated climate and disaster risk data, significantly influencing policies that better reflect women’s lived experiences across economic and environmental sectors.
5. The importance of inter-ministerial coordination for actionable policies
A key lesson learned is that collaboration across various Ministries—such as Women’s Affairs, Environment, and Statistics—is crucial for developing gender-sensitive DRR frameworks. Such coordinated efforts ensure that data collection translates into actionable policies addressing gender gaps in resilience building, preparedness, and recovery.
The steps taken to advance this agenda represent a timely move toward more effective disaster management, guided by women’s leadership.
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