The Prime Minister has enunciated ten-point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction and the agenda No. 3 lays emphasis on women’s leadership and their greater involvement, which should be central to Disaster Risk Management.

    The details of key initiatives taken by Government to provide leadership role to women in Disaster Risk Reduction are given below:

i.        In the revised National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), 2019, issues relating to Women empowerment and their leadership role in disaster risk management has been given prominence.

ii.       Participation of women in disaster response has been encouraged through imparting training to women as Aapda Sakhi under Aapda Mitra Scheme. Out of approximately one lakh trained Aapda Mitra Volunteers, 20% are trained women volunteers.

iii.      For the maintenance and management of Cyclone Shelter Management & Maintenance Committees (CSMMC) in the country, 50% women participation is ensured.

iv.      Key roles to women are given in various Task Force groups related to disaster preparedness and rescue operations, training and mock drills etc.

v.       National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has developed a compendium on best practices of “Women’s Role in Disaster Risk Management” and undertake specific training programmes with focus on role of women in disaster risk reduction.

vi.      Mahila Contingent from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have also been trained in Disaster Management and deployed in National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), for disaster relief and rescue operation.

vii.     Mahila rescuers in NDRF team deployed in Turkiye to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the aftermath of earthquake played an important role.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

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  RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS/1823

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