FIJI FLOODS 2012 Gender Integration in the FRCS Response.

FIJI FLOODS 2012Gender Integration in the FRCS Response

Outline

share reflections and observations of FRCS integration of gender in the recent Fiji flood response

discuss against good practice of gender integration in disaster response/relief

identify what entry points exist for UN Women and Gender Surge Group to help strengthen cluster effectiveness and gender integration during response

But first – stories from the field Participation in the Gender Surge Group 3 day informal trip to observe social protection

risks 12 days assistance with FRCS Health and Care

Team assessment and distribution of NFI’s 12 days informal observation of awareness

raising and capacity building needs in FRCS Liaison with UNFPA to procure and distribute

dignity packs and FWCC materials to flood affected areas

Pair Buzz (5 mins)

1. Why do you think gender integration is important to consider during disaster response?

2. What do you think are some key gender issues and opportunities highlighted?

3. What do you think are some of the different impacts on men, women, boys and girls of the Fiji floods?

4. What do you think are the characteristics of gender relations in Fiji? How do you think these affect disaster response?

Good Practice Checklist

SADD (separate interviews) Gender Balanced Assessment Teams Inclusive Distribution Feedback on relief items

(appropriate/responsive) Male and Female Health Personnel Reproductive Health Needs Psychosocial Support includes dv/gender roles Gender sensitive shelter Identify vulnerable groups and protection issues

What did FRCS do?

SADD (separate interviews)Within the first 7 days Guidelines for Gender Inclusive Assessment introduced to support collection of SADD by volunteers

Gender Balanced Assessment TeamsBranches maintain gender balanced assessment teams

Inclusive DistributionDistribution responds to household assessment via existing gendered structures of decision making

What did FRCS do?

Feedback on relief itemsProcured and distributed 1200 Dignity Packs through UNFPA to meet the perceived needs of females in flood affected areas. Distribution Guidelines. Inclusion of condoms. In field feedback.

Reproductive Health Needs Inclusion of condoms and info on dv. Psychosocial Support includes dv/gender roles

In field observation of entry points for psychosocial support and counseling – as first responders

What did FRCS do?

Gender sensitive shelterIn field observation of transitional shelter/evacuation centres

Identify vulnerable groups and protection issues

In field observation of social protection risks and entry points for FRCS capacity building Engagement/Information Sharing/Coordination with women’s and disability networks

Progress towards gender equality For FRCS we have a strong agenda to be impartial

and inclusive and respond to all needs In the immediate term FRCS addressed the

practical gender needs of women, but not strategic gender needs

Do not transform gender relations or challenge structures of inequality. E.g. Women not meaningfully involved in decision-making

Requires incremental and ongoing capacity building within the National Society on gender/inclusion with focus on community based strategies

FRCS: 3 P’s (policy, programming) Policy, strategy/guidelines, mechanisms and tools to

strengthen gender and social inclusion (technical support)

Gender/inclusion training for key program staff. Training in assessment and analysis of vulnerabilites and capacities more broadly (protection)

Incorporation of gender/inclusion modules into existing training programs (DM/Health)

Strengthen M&E and community feedback on DM/response (not systematic/priority needs)

Strengthening community based disaster risk reduction with a strong gender sensitive component (analysis of gender roles, division of labour, capacities, resources)

FRCS: 3 P’s (partnerships)

Develop working partnerships with local partners experienced in this area of programming

Strengthen multi-stakeholder relationships especially at branch level for community preparedness and response

UN Women Entry Points (1/2) Map organizational capacity by grassroots and

national actors in humanitarian response Map networks, stakeholders and organisational

capacity which can be mobilized during response phase 24-72hrs

Identify trigger points for these to be mobilized during disaster response:

Contribute to post-flood review – development of questions and analysis, monitor implementation

Identify practical actions to be taken by GoF to respond to different needs

Advocacy during review and/or development of National Action Plan/GoF

UN Women Entry Points (2/2) Advocacy and sensitisation of GoF to Sphere Humanitarian

Charter Technical capacity on gender analysis and mainstreaming in

DRM Monitor/advocate for gender analysis questions in cluster as per

IASC marker Technical capacity to NDMO for gender analysis within first 24-72

hours Strengthen gender and inclusion in PHT especially through

strong coordination with protection cluster (inclusion focus) Summarise situational analysis (UNFPA) for use in community

based protection, disaster plans by range of humanitarian actors Strengthening capacity of existing CBO’s and NGO already

engaged in gender sensitive approaches to community based disaster preparedness

THANK YOU!