Strengthening Gender-Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction: Highlights from the
2023 High-Level Workshop in Nairobi
From August 22nd to 24th, 2023, Nairobi, Kenya, hosted a pivotal event in disaster risk reduction (DRR) focused on gender responsiveness. The High-Level Regional Workshop on Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction in Eastern Africa, coordinated by UNESCO, brought together delegates from ten Eastern African countries. The workshop aimed to foster dynamic discussions and collaborations to enhance disaster resilience through gender-inclusive approaches, thereby contributing to the Global Gender Action Plan (GAP) under the Sendai Framework. This event underscored the urgent need for integrating gender considerations into DRR strategies to effectively address the impacts of natural disasters on vulnerable populations.
Workshop Overview
Eastern Africa is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including severe floods, landslides, and droughts, which have intensified in recent years. The impacts of these disasters are exacerbated by gender-based inequalities, significantly affecting women, girls, and individuals with disabilities. For instance, a decrease in rainfall has led to a decline in school enrollment for girls in Uganda, highlighting the broader consequences of climate-related events on gender disparities. Despite progress in disaster risk reduction policies, gender inclusion remains a critical challenge in the region.
The High-Level Workshop, themed "Promoting Gender-responsive Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives," was attended by technical representatives from various institutions, including governmental bodies, NGOs, universities, and UN agencies. Keynote addresses were delivered by prominent figures such as the H.E. Ambassador of Japan and senior officials from the Kenyan government. The workshop's opening was marked by speeches from notable dignitaries, including UNESCO's Regional Director, Alexandros Makarigakis, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Key Findings and Discussions
Dr. Mary Nyasimi from UNESCO presented a report highlighting the gaps in gender-specific legislation and Gender Action Plans for DRR in Eastern Africa. The report revealed that less than 8% of gender and inclusivity research data is utilized in DRR efforts and fewer than 25% of countries have initiatives targeting the most vulnerable populations. The findings emphasize the need for more comprehensive gender-sensitive DRR strategies to address the diverse needs of different groups effectively.
Participants shared National Case Studies, offering insights into their countries' gender-responsive DRR policies and approaches. The workshop also included presentations by UNDRR and UN Women, focusing on the draft Global Gender Action Plan (GAP) for DRR under the Sendai Framework. Engaging breakout sessions allowed participants to examine and deliberate on the GAP's recommendations, fostering a collaborative approach to integrating gender considerations into DRR planning and policy development.
Airbus Pléiades Neo Satellites: Advancing Earth Observation
The Airbus Pléiades Neo satellites represent a significant advancement in Earth observation technology, offering very-high resolution imagery with 30 cm detail from two identical spacecraft. With the ability to revisit any location on Earth at least daily, these satellites provide timely and comprehensive data, contributing around 1,000,000 km² of imagery daily. Accessible via Airbus' OneAtlas platform, Pléiades Neo enhances geolocation accuracy and object recognition, supporting diverse applications from risk assessment to environmental monitoring.
A Leap Forward in Very-High Resolution Earth Observation and Risk Assessment: In parallel with the ongoing efforts in disaster risk reduction, Airbus has made significant strides in Earth observation with the launch of its Pléiades Neo satellites. These advancements represent a major leap forward in remote sensing capabilities, offering very-high resolution imagery and enhanced geolocation accuracy. The Pléiades Neo constellation, consisting of two identical spacecraft, provides users with a wealth of data essential for various applications, including risk analysis and damage assessment.
Satellite Capabilities and Impact: The Pléiades Neo constellation is equipped with satellites offering a very-high resolution of 30 cm, enabling detailed and precise Earth observation. The capability to revisit any point on Earth at least daily ensures timely updates and comprehensive coverage. Collectively, the satellites contribute approximately 1,000,000 km² of imagery to Airbus' repository each day. This vast repository of fresh and archived data is accessible through Airbus' OneAtlas digital platform, which offers powerful analytics tools to enhance data analysis.
The very-high resolution imagery provided by the Pléiades Neo satellites improves object recognition and analysis, benefiting both human experts and machine learning algorithms. This advancement facilitates enhanced geolocation accuracy and spectral band information, supporting a range of applications such as risk assessment and damage evaluation. The Pléiades Neo constellation marks a new era in Earth observation, providing users with unparalleled data quality, frequent updates, and extensive applications across various sectors.
Future Prospects
The integration of Pléiades Neo satellite data with disaster risk reduction efforts promises to significantly improve the accuracy and effectiveness of response strategies. By providing very-high resolution imagery and timely updates, Pléiades Neo supports more informed decision-making and better preparedness for natural hazards. As Eastern Africa continues to face challenges related to disaster impacts and gender inequalities, the capabilities of Pléiades Neo offer valuable support in enhancing resilience and facilitating targeted interventions.
In summary, the advancements in Earth observation through Pléiades Neo satellites align with the ongoing efforts to address gender-responsive disaster risk reduction in Eastern Africa. The combination of very-high resolution imagery and comprehensive data analysis tools holds the potential to drive meaningful progress in disaster management and contribute to the region's resilience against future challenges.