The ManicaPost
Nyasha Mapasa Post Reporter
After the double tragedy of Cyclones ldai and Kenneth in March and April last year, women in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe are calling for more inclusion in the disaster preparedness processes.
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango) and seven other organisations recently held a three-day indaba with stakeholders from the affected communities.
Participants highlighted that women and girls are among the most affected following natural disasters.
Said Malawi’s Mary Namalomba: “Male victims are the ones who are often included in the Idai conversation. We need to be included in such dialogues, from district, national to regional level, because we are the ones who run the households. Women’s issues need to be addressed.”
Another woman from Mozambique also explained how hard it was for women to access food when Cyclone Kenneth hit.
“When it comes to food distribution, women are disadvantaged because the masculine are able to easily access the food. That process is male dominated. And when community leaders put down our names on the food aid lists, they make it feel like they are doing us a favor, yet it’s our right. Women should be a priority,” said Olga Macupulane.
Southern Africa Trust chief executive officer Ms Masego Madzwamuse bemoaned women’s abuse.
“We have heard a lot of disturbing stories in Chimanimani and beyond. Affected women were being forced into transactional sexual relationships in order to receive aid.
“We are going to document such cases and expose the perpetrators so that they are brought to book. We will also consider the safety of the victims.”
Panganai Murime from Chimanimani stressed the need to disseminate more information on natural disasters and their impact.
NGOs in the Southern African region are spearheading the inclusion of women in disaster response.
