Commission for Gender Equality probes gender-focused disaster management in KZN
The Commission for Gender Equality has initiated an investigation in KwaZulu-Natal to evaluate gender-sensitive approaches within disaster management.
Image: Commission for Gender Equality
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has launched a provincial investigation in the eThekwini Municipality aimed at addressing the disproportionate impact of disasters on vulnerable populations. On Thursday, the CGE gathered key stakeholders to explore how effectively disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts integrate gender-sensitive approaches.
CGE chairperson Advocate Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale said: “There’s no doubt that the impact of disaster, especially environmental disaster, in any situation tends to disproportionately affect women and children. In terms of the displacement that they suffer, in terms of the loss of assets, in terms of the lack of safety that makes them vulnerable and all those kinds of situations."
She called on the presenters to focus on and take the CGE through how they have put in place, in KZN, an environment that will ensure the protection of current citizens, but also future generations.
“We are going to appeal to you to go beyond the plans, the frameworks, the meetings, the forums, to actually say this has been the impact. Let us focus on Mam’ Shongwe, Mam’ Mkhize, and all those other people and their children who, when there are floods, when it rains, when there are storms, when there are winds, they end up being homeless.
"Let us focus on their children and grandchildren, who, when there are floods and everything that has to do with the environment, they lose their books, they lose their homes, but above all, some of them lose their lives,” Sepanya-Mogale said.
CGE KZN legal officer Nomthandazo Sithole said this year, the CGE is investigating gender-responsive disaster management. The April and May 2022 floods claimed over 400 lives; therefore, they wanted to assess the disaster management before disaster strikes and through to rehabilitation.
“We are trying to see how gender responsive the disaster management is in eThekwini or in the province. So, we have to also involve the Provincial Disaster Management Centre because it is key in supporting municipalities,” Sithole said.
She said that the process saw them request information from three entities, the KZN Office of the Premier, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the eThekwini Municipality. They responded, leading to a public hearing where the CGE presented the responses received, and they asked questions and then came up with recommendations and findings which will address any gaps observed.
Sithole said the investigation is still ongoing.
She added that part of the reason for the hearings is for the CGE to have meaningful discussions so they can engage and ensure that ultimately there is accountability and there is transparency.
“This investigation pertains to this financial year. We will produce a report after the end of the financial year, which will be tabled in Parliament and will then have findings and recommendations regarding this investigation,” Sithole said.
She said the floods are being sampled to assess the gender responsiveness of the disaster management process.
“We are monitoring and evaluating the disaster management process from a gender lens because our mandate relates to gender equality. We want to see how gender responsive it was, how responsive the disaster management process is,” Sithole said.