Women's Assembly stresses need for an early warning system on natural disasters.

KARACHI -- Participants of a "Women Assembly" held in Karachi have highlighted the humanitarian issues faced by the flood-affected people of the 2022 flood, emphasizing the need for an early warning system and safeguarding vulnerable communities, especially women, during disasters, says a Press release. The event, organized by the Indus Consortium in collaboration with Oxfam in Pakistan, aimed to empower women's voices on safeguarding and protection issues in disaster situations.

Government ministers, parliamentarians, civil society activists, academia, affected individuals, and communities were actively involved in the assembly. Senator Dr Khalida Sikandar Mandhro chaired the session on "Unheard Voices of Grassroots," while

Mrs Rana Hussain, Minister for School Education, College Education, and Women Empowerment, chaired the session on "Women Safeguarding Issues During and Post Disasters." Rana Hussain, Minister for School Education, College Education, and Women Empowerment, announced plans to include a lesson on Disaster Risk Reduction in the curriculum, a suggestion put forth by the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority. She highlighted Sindh's progress in policymaking, emphasizing the empowerment of women in the province.

The minister stressed the importance of creating space for development, even among women who may not have received formal education. She advocated for the increased use of technology and the inclusion of AI to help

people better understand relevant issues. Dr Khalida Sikandar Mandhro acknowledged the suffering of entire families during the floods, with women and children enduring the most hardship.

While acknowledging that what is done cannot be undone, she stressed the need to look forward and unite efforts for disaster relief. She called for collaboration between the government and civil society ahead of disasters. Nuzhat Sheerin, Chairman of the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, requested the PDMA for the involvement of women in policymaking and stressed the importance of collaboration between civil society and government departments, particularly the PDMA.

Hussain Jarwar, CEO of Indus Consortium, welcomed the attendees and provided an overview of the program's initiatives, including livelihood restoration and district-level assemblies. Samreen Paras, Administrator of the Human Rights Department in the Government of...