Duryog Nivaran | Gender and Intersectionality

At Duryog Nivaran (DN), gender and intersectionality are central to our approach, recognizing that vulnerability in South Asia is influenced by deep-rooted social inequalities as well as exposure to hazards. This commitment drives our work to ensure that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is inherently inclusive, promoting equity, justice, and representation.

DN leads the Gender Stakeholder Group of the Asia-Pacific Platform for DRR (APP-DRR), positioning South Asia at the forefront of inclusive policy dialogue. In collaboration with UNDRR, we co-developed a Training Programme on Gender and Socially Inclusive Implementation of the Sendai Framework, which has institutionalized gender mainstreaming in DRR training through global training-of-trainers sessions.

Globally, DN has been active on the Global Facilitation Team of the Women and Gender Stakeholder Group of the Sendai Framework Engagement Mechanism (SEM), contributing to the Sendai Gender Action Plan (GAP) with recommendations adopted by UNDRR. We have also advocated for intersectionality and community-based adaptation at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) sessions.

The networks leadership is evident in global forums, including the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conferences on DRR (APMCDRR 2022 & 2024), where we initiated the Gender Pledge Wall, Inclusion Hub, and Gender Observatory. In 2024, DN conducted research under the GRRIPP project to enhance public sector accountability for gender inclusion in disaster response, further strengthening our advocacy evidence base.

Through these initiatives, DN has established itself as a thought leader in gender-responsive resilience, ensuring that the voices of women and marginalized communities are integral to regional and global resilience frameworks.