Existing disaster management laws will be assessed during the national meet

Kathmandu, December 6

ASMITA Women’s Publishing House, Media and Resource Organisation, ActionAid International Nepal and Mahila Adhikar Manch are jointly organising a two-day National Women’s Conference on Disaster Management, Reconstruction and Sustainable Development in Kathmandu on December 9 and 10.

Organising a press meet here in Kathmandu, the organisers said the main objective of the conference is to initiate informational discourse on women and disaster, especially in the present context of the country.

They said the conference will analyse the existing disaster management laws, policies and other practical initiatives; access their adequacy and effectiveness in the light of international humanitarian laws and the Constitution of Nepal 2015; and recommend strategies and programmes for effectively addressing key issues of disaster management and ensuring women’s leadership in this process.

Manju Thapa, executive director, ASMITA said the conference further aims to analyse whether the existing disaster law, policy framework, programmes need reforms.

“The conference will be an eventful occasion,” said Thapa. She stated that natural disasters and calamities devastated the lives of millions of people and caused substantial loss to the economy.

Thus, a proper disaster risk management framework would enable the affected population, especially women, in taking

immediate steps in emergency situation. “This will set a milestone to prove the importance of women’s leadership at every stage of disaster risk reduction cycle,” she added.

During the conference, based on the natural disaster and its impact on women, six research workshop papers will be presented by various experts.

Besides, women’s rights leader will share their experiences during the post disaster scenario. The conference is being held to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

More than 125 participants from various walks of life will participate in the event.