KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi has reaffirmed government's commitment towards enacting gender-friendly policy aimed at reducing disaster risks.
Inaugurating a workshop jointly organized by the government of Nepal and Untied Nation Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) here today, DPM Nidhi stated that the government was effortful towards promoting the women rights incorporated in the new constitution.
Citing that countries like Nepal, India and China were among the five worst-hit countries in the world in terms of the economic losses incurred by the disasters, Nidhi spoke of the need to pay more attention to women and children during post-disaster operation in Nepal.
According to him, of around 9,000 who lost their lives to Gorkha Earthquake in April last year, more than 55 per cent were women and children.
"Women have great potential to contribute to disaster preparedness, prevention and overall risk reduction," he said, commending that role of women in risk management and resilience building is greater than is often acknowledged.
DPM Nidhi shared that the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), adopted by the UN member nations as the global plan for reducing disaster losses in March, 2015, was in the phase of implementation in Nepal.
Similarly, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Krishna Bahadur Raut hared that the gender-friendly policy and practices were gradually enforced during post-disaster reconstruction.
Likewise, Un Resident Coordinator Valerie Julliand pressed for empowering women for disaster risks reduction at community level in line with the Sustainable Development Goals' Goal No 5.
Representatives from eight countries are taking part in the three-day workshop. RSS
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