Training Resources
Training materials on gender responsive approaches to disaster management are rare, and especially rare in the US context. How can we expect the next generation of emergency managers, among them many women drawn to the field through personal experience, to appreciate the many “lessons learned” about women and gender in US disasters if these lessons are not captured and incorporated into existing training and education resources?
What is needed? Drop us a line, at usgdra@gmail.com, about the kinds of training materials you think would be most useful at the local level, or national. How about for raising awareness and changing approaches in faith-based and nonprofits engaged in disaster work?
Training modules (under development)
The US GDRA hopes to contribute targeted training modules which can be incorporated into certification courses, trainings offered by non-profits and emergency management agencies, and on the nation’s campuses wherever emergency management courses are available.
Possible topics include those below. Let us know what you think would be most useful.
Women at the grassroots: Partnering to reduce risk in the US
Men in disasters: Gender perspectives
Reaching grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers in US disasters
Gender-based violence, girls and boys in US disasters
Women and gender issues in climate change adaptation
Gender-aware risk communication in the US
Gender-aware disaster mitigation in the US
Gender-aware emergency relief in the US
Gender-aware psychosocial outreach in the US
Gender-aware post-disaster income support in the US
Gender-aware long-term recovery in the US
Training Materials for Gender Mainstreaming in Disaster Risk Reduction
This set of materials was designed and collated by Maureen Fordham (with help from colleagues in UNDP, UNISDR, Oxfam, AIDMI) for a Training of Trainers for UNDP. Designed primarily for use in developing nations, some materials are readily adapted to the US
Gender Mainstreaming in Emergency Management: A Training Module for Emergency Planners
Developed by Elaine Enarson, 2009, for the Women and Health Care Reform and the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence. Includes background and general information and specific exercises and tools for assessing and improving existing approaches to better incorporate gender issues and opportunities to engage with women to reduce risk. The manual is potentially of use to emergency managers in the US.
Prairie Women Prepared for Disaster. An Emergency Planning Guide For Women’s Community Organizations
Developed by Elaine Enarson, 2009, for the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Women’s Health Research Network, and the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence. Written with special reference to the province of Manitoba, this step-by-step guide has wider applicability and could readily be adapted for use elsewhere, including the US.
Developed by Elaine Enarson, 2008, for the Public Health Agency of Canada. The policy review identifies specific interventions that could help increased understanding of gender as an integral and cross-cutting dimension of disaster risk management. Many of the observations and recommendations extend to the US but a US-focused policy review is needed.
EMPOWER Women in Emergency Management presentation slides
Slides with data from a 2006 survey are available through EMPOWER [Emergency Management Professional Organization for Women’s Enrichment]. Women in the field working in the US and Canada were surveyed about their paths of entry into the professions, their career goals and experiences and more.
It Could Happen to Your Agency! Tools for change—Emergency Management for Women
During and after disasters, violence against women increases and it is more difficult for women to obtain help. This workbook helps agencies develop an emergency response plan. Developed by the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia.
Sexual Violence in Disasters: A Planning Guide for Prevention and Response
The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA) & the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) created this guide to ensure that those planning for disaster relief and response do not forget to consider safety from sexual victimization and the importance of creating policies that could prevent it. It offers readers important information about sexual violence and disasters that will help communities to understand the connection and develop better disaster responses. It presents a range of recommendations from suggesting small changes to developing comprehensive plans, making preparations, and coordinating far-reaching policy change. Available in English and Spanish.
Developed by E. Enarson, 1997, this study of preparedness in US and Canadian domestic violence programs identifies challenges for antiviolence work and offers two sets of practical guidelines for disaster planners and for women’s agencies.
Disaster Information for Pregnant Women
Available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with reference to specific hazards.
Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response and Breastfeeding is the First Line of Defense in a Disaster
Two documents developed by the US Breastfeeding Committee to support breastfeeding in humanitarian crises and advance planning to sustain infants and breastfeeding mothers through crises.
What do you need? What is most useful? Please send us information about materials you can share here on these and related topics to usgdra@gmail.com:
Women, gender and environmental justice
Gender, race and class in disasters
Women, gender and community organizing
Women, gender and climate change
Women, gender and energy
Women, gender and water
Women, gender and sustainable development
Women's antiviolence organizing
Women's antiracism organizing
