Gender Observatory Report highlights progress and gaps in gender inclusion in disaster risk reduction

The LAC Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) launched the latest Gender Observatory Report, presenting new evidence on women’s representation in global disaster risk reduction discussions and offering practical recommendations to strengthen gender inclusion in future platforms.

The report was developed through an exercise conducted during the VIII Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, where members of the Network monitored discussions to assess how gender perspectives are reflected in decision-making spaces.  This exercise was undertaken in alignment with the recommendations of the Sendai Framework Gender Action Plan.

The launch was followed by the 15th Ordinary Plenary Session of the LAC Women’s Network, which brought together practitioners, researchers and policymakers from across Latin America, the Caribbean and partner regions. Participants reflected on the Observatory’s findings and exchanged experiences on how gender-responsive approaches can be strengthened in disaster preparedness and governance.

Opening the session, Paola Albrito, Director of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), underscored the strategic importance of gender equality for effective disaster risk reduction.

“Gender equality is not a parallel agenda. It is a core condition for effective disaster risk reduction,” Albrito said. “Evidence-based initiatives such as the Gender Observatory help us move beyond commitments and strengthen accountability, investment decisions and policy implementation.”

Monitoring gender inclusion in global DRR discussions

Developed by the LAC Women’s Network for DRR, the Gender Observatory monitors how gender considerations are reflected in disaster risk reduction policy discussions and decision-making spaces. The latest edition analyzed sessions of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, combining quantitative monitoring and qualitative analysis to assess representation, participation and thematic integration of gender perspectives.

Presenting the methodology of the initiative, Cynthia Rodríguez, Executive Secretary of the LAC Women’s Network, emphasized the importance of generating evidence to support women’s leadership in disaster risk governance.

“Women’s participation improves the effectiveness of disaster risk management,” Rodríguez said. “Inclusion is not symbolic — it leads to better decisions and more resilient communities.”

The Observatory mobilized 48 volunteer observers from 18 countries, who monitored 74 out of 115 sessions of the Global Platform using a digital tool available in six languages. Rodríguez noted that the initiative has expanded significantly since its creation in 2023.

“What began as a regional initiative has evolved into a robust and replicable tool for monitoring gender inclusion in disaster risk reduction.”

Key findings from the Gender Observatory

Members of the Network Isis Carrera and Victoria Moraga presented the main findings of the report, which highlights both progress and persistent gaps in gender inclusion across disaster risk reduction discussions.

Among the 74 sessions monitored, the analysis found that:

• Gender equality and women’s leadership are increasingly referenced in high-level policy discussions, particularly in sessions on governance, financing for resilience and community participation.
• Women’s representation among speakers has improved compared to previous editions of the Observatory, reflecting growing recognition of women’s expertise in disaster risk reduction.
• Gender considerations remain less visible in technical discussions, particularly those addressing infrastructure, risk analytics and financing frameworks.

These findings highlight the importance of moving beyond visibility toward the systematic integration of gender perspectives across all areas of disaster risk reduction policy and practice.

For her part, Lida García offered a forward-looking perspective focused on the Observatory’s long-term projections and sustainability beyond its role in international and regional events. She presented concrete proposals to integrate the Observatory into national disaster risk governance frameworks, at both technical and policy-making levels.

The initiative has been developed through collaboration among multiple partners, including UNDRR, UN Women, GNDR, and with support from Global Affairs Canada, alongside regional and international networks. Reflecting on this collaboration, Pritha Khanal, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist at Duryog Nivaran and representative of the Gender Stakeholders’ Group of Asia-Pacific Partnership for DRR (GSHG APP-DRR) , highlighted the value of knowledge exchange between regions.

“The collaboration between the Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean networks shows how shared learning can strengthen inclusive disaster risk reduction globally,” she said.

From global monitoring to national practice

Following the launch of the report, the 15th Plenary Session of the LAC Women’s Network showcased how the Gender Observatory methodology is already being adapted in operational contexts. Participants discussed an experience in Guatemala, where the Observatory approach was applied to assess gender inclusion during a national disaster simulation exercise.

The exercise took place as part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1976 earthquake that marked Guatemala’s history. Government institutions, civil society organizations and international partners participated in the National Simulation Exercise 2026, aimed at testing preparedness and institutional response capacity. During the simulation, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated to coordinate interinstitutional actions and implement response protocols. Evacuation drills were also conducted in multiple locations in accordance with the National Response Plan, strengthening coordination among institutions and raising public awareness of disaster preparedness.

Zayda Xiomara Gómez, representing UN Women, presented the background of the initiative and highlighted the importance of integrating gender perspectives into preparedness planning and emergency governance.

Reflecting on the experience, Layla López, member of the LAC Women’s Network, noted that the initiative demonstrated the practical value of gender monitoring tools.

“This experience showed that gender observatories can move beyond conferences and become practical tools to strengthen preparedness and governance at the national level,” López said.

Participants also examined methodological lessons from adapting the Observatory to operational environments such as disaster simulations. Isis Carrera, member of the LAC Women’s Network, emphasized that monitoring gender inclusion requires flexible approaches depending on the context.

“Monitoring gender inclusion in global policy spaces and in operational exercises presents different challenges,” she said. “But both are essential if we want to translate commitments into action.”

Strengthening a regional community of practice

The discussion highlighted growing interest among practitioners and institutions in replicating the Observatory methodology in other contexts.

Participants expressed support for developing a toolkit to guide the application of gender observatories in preparedness exercises and policy processes, strengthening the practical use of gender-responsive monitoring tools. Partners also emphasized the importance of collaboration among regional networks, international organizations and civil society to advance inclusive disaster risk reduction.

Graciela Salaberri, representing the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), highlighted the role of networks in connecting knowledge and practice across countries.

Closing the event, Rodríguez acknowledged the collective effort behind the report.

“This Observatory is a shared regional achievement,” she said. “It shows what can be accomplished when expertise, commitment and collaboration come together.”

Through initiatives such as the Gender Observatory, the LAC Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction continues to strengthen women’s leadership and promote evidence-based approaches to disaster risk reduction across the Americas and the Caribbean.

The Network plans to further expand the Observatory methodology and support its application in preparedness exercises and policy processes across the region.

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