..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 1 March 2005
Information Note No: N/05/2005

International Women's Day 2005
"Rebuilding Women's Lives in the Aftermath of Disasters"
8 March 2005, 9.30-12.00 a.m.
UNCC Building, UNESCAP
Bangkok, Thailand
Organized by the Thematic Working Group on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality,
United Nations, Thailand

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- In commemoration of International Women's Day 2005, UN agencies will host a joint event examining the role of women's human rights in the context of Natural Disasters. This will provide an opportunity to share women's experiences in the face of natural disasters and strategies for the rebuilding women's lives after the event.

The event will consist of a:
* Panel discussion: The panel will present their opinions, and discuss with the audience the application of women's human rights-based approach, such as CEDAW, to activities related to post-disaster reconstruction.
* Exhibition: The exhibition will convey vivid images and stories about the vulnerability of women in disaster-affected areas and sectors. It will also present some good examples of how UN agencies and other kinds of organizations can integrate women's human rights and gender responsiveness into their post-disaster rebuilding activities.

The key messages are:

a) The special vulnerability of women during natural disasters and in the reconstruction phase
* Women have a right to personal security and to be free from violence
* The displacement followed by natural disasters makes women and girls more vulnerable to trafficking
* Without safe, secure and private housing, women are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and attack
* Women have a right to equally access food and other supplies. Where food is scarce, women may not have social or cultural status to adequately access food supplies
* Women have a right to equally access medical treatment, and to obtain special medical treatment for their special attributes. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding require special access to clean water and medical supplies

b) It is critical for women to participate in the processes of reconstruction and rebuilding communities
* Women have a right to equally participate in decision making processes that impact on them and their communities
* Less women than men hold positions of leadership in communities, and are less likely to be included in reconstruction decision making
* Women have different needs that must be considered in reconstruction process

Agenda:

9.30-10.00 hrs. - Opening Ceremony
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaMr. Kim Hak-Su , Executive Secretary, UNESCAP
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaMs. Joana Merlin-Scholtes, UN Resident Coordinator
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa and UNDP Resident Representative
10.00-12.00 hrs. - Panel discussion

Presentations will be given by:
* Dr Chaiyos Kunanusont, UNFPA/CST Advisor on HIV/AIDS and STIs; To speak on "Women, girls affected by the Tsunami, what should we do to help them"
* Ms. Lucita S. Lazo: Regional Programme Director, East and South East Asia regional office: To speak on "Applying a Women's Human Rights framework to Emergency Responses"
* Ms. Cholpon Akmatova, Resource Officer, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD): To speak on : "Women's Vulnerability and the Importance of Their Role in the Post-Disaster,Rebuilding Process"
* Ms. Christine Evans-Klock, Director, Subregional Office for East Asia, ILO, to speak on : "GEMS: Making disaster relief work better for women and men"

Moderator: Ms. Tone Bleie (Chief, Gender and Development Section, Emerging Social Issues Division, UNESCAP)

For further information, please contact United Nations Information Services, Tel. 02-2881861-69.

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