Kathmandu, December 10

Two-day National Women’s Conference on Disaster Management, Reconstruction and Sustainable Development ended today by issuing a seven-point Kathmandu Declaration-2072.

The conference jointly organised by ASMITA, ActionAid and Mahila Adhikar Manch stressed on establishing women’s meaningful leadership in disaster management, reconstruction and sustainable development, ending violence against women and protecting human rights by uniting all women against disaster vulnerability, poverty and discrimination.

The conference suggested to the government to draft ‘National Criteria for Humanitarian Support’ to ensure fundamental rights of women and children in the aftermath of disasters such as earthquakes.

Similarly, the conference also made a call for ensuring and promoting women’s meaningful participation and leadership in all phases of disaster risk management such as disaster risk reduction, preparation for disaster, rescue and relief management and reconstruction.

The seven-point declaration calls for ensuring participation and representation of women in all stages of policy-making and implementation.

Urging the government and concerned stakeholders to form a community led by women, the declaration has also expressed commitment to intensify the campaign for promotion of women’s leadership in disaster management by coordinating with organisations working for women rights.

During the concluding ceremony, Coordinator of Mahila Adhikar Manch Puspa KC, Malati Khatri from ActionAid and Executive Director of ASMITA Manju Thapa said the conference has suggested to the government to formulate appropriate policies to address major issues of disaster management and ensure women’s participation in the process.