See women as agents of change in disaster risk governance – Legarda

Senator Loren Legarda today emphasized the importance of gender-responsive disaster risk governance, recognizing the role of women as leaders and agents of change.

“These girls already have a vision for a future where they can thrive. Our role is to ensure they have the resources, education, and leadership opportunities to turn that vision into reality,” Legarda said during her speech at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

“Beyond inclusion, women and girls—and all marginalized groups—must harness their creativity and ingenuity to lead sustainable solutions to our most pressing development challenges,” she added.

Legarda lamented that disasters disproportionately affect women, girls, persons with disabilities (PWDs), marginalized communities, especially in areas such as the Asia-Pacific region.

Citing data from the World Health Organization, PWDs are up to four times more likely to die during disasters.

The four-term senator also told the attendees that their respective countries must ensure that early warning systems, evacuation procedures, and recovery plans must be accessible to everybody, removing barriers that prevent full participation.

Local communities, who are on the frontlines of disaster response, must be empowered through education, resources, and capacity-building.

“Building resilience is about amplifying the voices of those often
unheard—women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities,” remarked the lawmaker.

“Let us commit to inclusive governance, where every voice is heard, and no one is left behind.”

In her years of public service, Legarda has made sure to pass laws that enshrine gender equality.

Among them are the Magna Carta for Women and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which ensure protection and empowerment of women in the context of disasters.

Gender representation at the highest level of decision making in the Climate Change Commission—the lead policymaking body on climate change—is ensured as it is required to have at least one woman commissioner. (30)

Idiniin ni Senador Loren Legarda ang kahalagahan ng gender-responsive disaster risk governance, at kinilala ang papel ng kababaihan bilang instrumento ng pagbabago.

“These girls already have a vision for a future where they can thrive. Our role is to ensure they have the resources, education, and leadership opportunities to turn that vision into reality,” ani Legarda sa kanyang talumpati noong 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

“Beyond inclusion, women and girls—and all marginalized groups—must harness their creativity and ingenuity to lead sustainable solutions to our most pressing development challenges,” dagdag niya.

Malungkot na ibinalita ni Legarda na ang mga kalamidad ay mas nakaaapekto sa mga kababaihan, persons with disabilities (PWDs), at mga maralita, lalo na sa mga lugar tulad ng Asia-Pacific.

Base sa datos ng World Health Organization, apat na beses na mas malaki ang tsansa ng mga PWD na mamatay sa panahon ng kalamidad.

Iginiit rin ni Legarda na ang mga bansa sa Asia-Pacific ay dapat masiguro na bukas sa lahat ang early warning system, evacuation procedure, at recovery plans.

Ang mga lokal na pamayananan na nagsisilbing frontliner ng disaster response ay dapat palakasin sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at pagpapalakas ng kapasidad nito.

“Building resilience is about amplifying the voices of those often
unheard—women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities,” wika ng senadora.

“Let us commit to inclusive governance, where every voice is heard, and no one is left behind.”

Sa mahabang panunungkulan ni Legarda ay tiniyak niya ang pagkakaroon ng mga batas na kumikilala sa gender equality.

Kabilang na rito ang Magna Carta for Women at Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, na nagsisiguro sa proteksyon at pagpapalakas sa papel ng kababaihan sa panahon ng kalamidad.

Minamandato rin na dapat may isang babae ang manungkulan sa Climate Change Commission — ang pangunahing ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa climate change. (30)