The ECOWAS Disaster Risk Reduction Gender Strategy and Action Plan (ECOWAS DRR GSAP) is an essential aspect of this work; and aims to help member states build resilience to natural hazards that is inclusive of all segments of society. While the Action Plan builds on the DRM activities agreed upon by member states; making sure the language is gender responsive; it is in the strategy that we learn how to do this. By using best-practice examples of gender-responsive implementation from across the region, we underline that gender responsiveness is not about ticking a box; but rather, seeing things in a different way—with a gender lens. These examples from our member states illustrate how a gender lens can be applied across to already-planned activities to ensure that they fully address the needs of all our communities in their full complexity. The end result will be lives saved, as we ensure that women and men are both helped and empowered to manage natural disasters. The document is divided as follows: 1. Introduction and context; 2. Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction; 3. ECOWAS Policies and Institutions for Gender, and Gender and DRR; 4. ECOWAS Priorities on Gender Responsive DRR; and 5. ECOWAS Gender Responsive Plan of action 2020-2030.
2020-04-28