NDMA’s Gender & Child Cell (GCC) collaborated with the Gender Task Force and UN agencies to host a two-day National Level Consultation titled “Transforming Communities through Women and Girls’ Leadership for Climate Resilience and Gender Equality” in Islamabad on 14 & 15 January, 2025.

 

The consultation aimed to highlight the critical role women and girls play in driving transformative change within communities, particularly in the context of climate resilience and disaster management.

 

Chairman NDMA emphasized the importance of proactive responsiveness and social resilience in disaster management. He stressed the need for adaptive measures to address climate-related challenges. The Chairman acknowledged that disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, particularly women and girls. However, it is inevitable to tap their potential for resilience-building within formal disaster risk reduction (DRR) and anticipatory action frameworks.

 

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri in her address highlighted the importance of integrating gender considerations into climate strategies. She stated that in the face of growing climate challenges, empowering women and girls to take leadership roles is not just an opportunity but a necessity.

 

Panelists included:

UNDP’s Resident Representative, Mr. Samuel Rizk

UN Women’s Country Representative, Mr. Jamshed Kazi

CEO Aga Khan Foundation for Habitat, Ms. Nusrat Nasab

Country Director Islamic Relief Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Sherazi

Country Representative VSO, Ms. Seher Afsheen

 

The seminar will continue until tomorrow, featuring gender experts and academia in panel discussions.