As climate disasters intensify across the globe experts are raising concerns over the lack of gender-disaggregated data in disaster response and policy formulation. Women, particularly those in vulnerable communities bear the brunt of climate-induced crises, yet there is a glaring gap in data collection that could inform targeted policies and resources.
A recent scoping study by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development highlights that women and children are 14 times more likely to perish in disasters compared to men. Despite this alarming statistic, essential data such as the number of women affected, their socioeconomic status, and their specific needs often remain unavailable making it difficult to craft inclusive climate resilience policies.
Women at the Heart of Disaster Vulnerability
The impacts of climate change ranging from extreme weather events and prolonged droughts to food and water insecurity disproportionately affect women. Rural women, especially those engaged in agriculture, suffer from livelihood disruptions, while economic losses in informal sectors, where many women work, remain unaccounted for. Susan Ferguson, India Representative of UN Women, emphasized, “Gender-disaggregated data is crucial for shaping policies and ensuring equitable budget allocations.”
During an international workshop on ‘Women’s Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Landscape’ organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and UN Women in New Delhi, experts called for immediate action in collecting and utilizing gender-focused data. NDMA member Rajendra Singh highlighted that women should not merely be seen as beneficiaries of disaster management programs but as active leaders in community-driven risk reduction efforts.
India Climate Vulnerability and the Need for Inclusive Policies
India ranked 138 out of 185 countries in the 2023 ND-GAIN (Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative) rankings, indicating its high vulnerability to climate change. With 27 out of 35 states and Union Territories prone to hydro-meteorological disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones, the need for precise data on affected demographics is more pressing than ever.
Despite efforts to mainstream gender in disaster risk reduction (DRR), gaps persist in capturing the real impact on women. Somabha Mohanty, National Lead for Gender, Resilience, and DRR at UN Women, underscored the urgency of gender-specific data, stating, “Women’s economic and non-economic losses during disasters often go undocumented, leading to inadequate recovery measures.”
Odisha Leads the Way in Gender-Responsive Disaster Management
While national efforts to integrate gender perspectives in disaster policies continue, Odisha has emerged as a frontrunner in addressing these disparities. The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has initiated gender-responsive disaster management strategies.
Meghanad Behera, Senior DRR Consultant at OSDMA, shared that Odisha has established a state-level gender cell and is actively setting up district-level gender units to ensure data collection at the grassroots level. “So far, 21 district-level gender cells have been established, and administrative staff are being trained to collect gender-specific data on disasters,” Behera noted.
In addition, Odisha is mobilizing local communities by training village youth in disaster response and resilience building. The state aims to train 10,000 village volunteers this year to strengthen grassroots disaster preparedness.
Women as Agents of Change in Disaster Management
Efforts to involve women in disaster response are gaining momentum nationwide. NDMA’s ‘Aapda Mitra’ program, which trains community volunteers in emergency response, now includes over 20,000 women among its 100,000 volunteers. Singh also highlighted the success of Ahmedabad’s heat micro-insurance program, launched by the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), which compensates informal female workers for income losses during extreme heatwaves.
“Whenever women participate in disaster risk management, they bring resilience and innovation. We must integrate them into early warning systems, resource mapping, and DRR assessment at the community level,” Singh emphasized.
Future Roadmap for Gender-Sensitive Disaster Planning
Recognizing the importance of gender-inclusive policies, NDMA has committed to pushing for stronger gender-sensitive DRR programs. Mrinalini Shrivastava, Director at NDMA, confirmed that state officials are being trained to collect gender-specific data, which will play a key role in budget planning and resource allocation. “We plan to launch a pilot project focused on gender-disaggregated data collection and scale up training programs in rural areas, including initiatives for rural reporters,” she added
With climate disasters becoming more frequent and severe, ensuring that policies reflect the unique challenges faced by women is no longer optional it is imperative. As Odisha sets an example, experts hope that other states and countries will follow suit in integrating gender-disaggregated data into climate resilience strategies, paving the way for a truly inclusive approach to disaster management.