Building Inclusive Communities: Gender and Accessibility in Reconstruction

The “Talk of the Town” program unit recently visited Athbiskot Municipality in Rukum West to engage in continuous discussions on disaster risk reduction and management. This municipality was severely impacted by the Jajarkot earthquake, with most wards and residents facing significant challenges. Disasters affect everyone, but they disproportionately impact women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, marginalized groups, and extremely poor families, exacerbating their vulnerabilities. Therefore, incorporating a gender-responsive and inclusive approach is essential in disaster risk reduction and management discussions. This episode of the media program focuses on this critical issue.

Highlights of the Discussion

The program brought together key stakeholders, including the Chief of the District Coordination Committee, the Mayor of Athbiskot Municipality, Deputy Mayors from neighboring municipalities, ward chairs, teachers, students, security personnel, and local community members actively working in the region.

Insights from Local Leaders

Rabi K.C., Mayor of Athbiskot Municipality

Mayor Rabi K.C. outlined the municipality’s response following the earthquake, including search and rescue, relief distribution, reconstruction, and temporary shelter construction. However, many beneficiaries are still awaiting the second tranche of funding for temporary shelters, and reconstruction efforts remain uncertain. Additionally, over 1,300 residents who had migrated for work, particularly to India, returned to the village post-disaster but now remain unemployed, enduring harsh winters and monsoons in temporary shelters.

Dhan Kumari Shahi, Deputy Mayor of Athbiskot Municipality

Deputy Mayor Shahi emphasized prioritizing women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and postpartum mothers during the search, rescue, and relief phases. She also highlighted efforts to prioritize these groups in reconstruction initiatives.

Women’s Struggles in Disaster Contexts

Lila Oli, Women’s Development Inspector

Inspector Oli shared insights into the unique challenges faced by women in this remote and underdeveloped municipality. Most women depend on traditional farming practices, which fail to meet even basic needs, forcing many to seek employment abroad. Post-disaster, the shift from structured homes to two-room shelters has exacerbated issues like maintaining personal hygiene, dealing with menstruation, and experiencing harassment, even from within their own families and communities.

Kamala Roka Pun, Deputy Chair of Sanibheri Rural Municipality

Deputy Chair Roka Pun discussed the heightened sensitivity of women with young children to disaster-related challenges. She highlighted the emphasis on prioritizing vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly, during search and rescue operations.

Police and Community Perspectives

Ganesh Khanal, Chief of Area Police Office, Athbiskot Municipality

Chief Khanal shared the protocol for disaster response, where affected individuals are categorized into groups (A, B, C, D) to prioritize vulnerable populations such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Search and rescue operations are conducted accordingly.

Summe Kusari, Ward Chair of Ward No. 12, Athbiskot Municipality

Chair Kusari emphasized prioritizing pregnant women, postpartum mothers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in post-earthquake rescue, relief, and reconstruction efforts.

Educational Initiatives and Gender Inclusion

Naina Chand, Principal, Bal Kalyan Secondary School

Principal Chand highlighted the inclusion of gender and inclusivity topics in the Grade 12 curriculum, stressing their importance in educating students about women’s heightened vulnerability to disasters and the necessity of gender-responsive approaches.

Man Bahadur Batala, DDR Focal Person, Athbiskot Municipality

Batala underscored the proportional and inclusive composition of disaster management committees, ensuring representation from women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups in decision-making processes.

Women’s Empowerment and Local Governance

Narendra K.C., Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator

Coordinator K.C. noted that over 50% of participants in community-level committees are women, reflecting meaningful involvement and decision-making roles.

Sher Bahadur Oli, Retired Teacher

Oli shared his observations on societal changes over the decades, including the decline of discriminatory practices like polygamy and increased acceptance of gender equality within households.

Kamala Roka Pun, Deputy Chair of Sanibheri Rural Municipality

Roka Pun raised concerns about persistent wage disparities between men and women despite constitutional provisions for equal pay.

Dhan Kumari Shahi, Deputy Mayor of Athbiskot Municipality

Deputy Mayor Shahi highlighted ongoing training programs for women, such as masonry and carpentry, demonstrating their enthusiasm and capability in actively participating in reconstruction efforts.

Call for Action

Mayor Rabi K.C. appealed to the federal and provincial governments to expedite the provision of the second tranche of funding for temporary shelters, finalize reconstruction guidelines, and conduct detailed damage assessments. He emphasized the need for integrated reconstruction packages that include infrastructure like roads, electricity, drinking water, irrigation, and toilets, ensuring sustainable recovery for displaced families.

Lumbini Gautam, Chair, District Coordination Committee

Chair Gautam stressed the importance of women’s leadership in governance and decision-making processes, advocating for the swift implementation of policies to expedite reconstruction and recovery efforts.

This episode of “Talk of the Town” successfully highlighted the critical need for inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches in disaster risk reduction and management, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to build resilient communities.