UN Women supports the participation of women with disabilities in disaster risk reduction

The principle of “Leave No One Behind” is particularly relevant when it comes to the participation of women and girls with disabilities. This issue becomes even more critical in the process of introducing gender-responsive and inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction and response. At a training organized by UN Women from 7 to 9 November 2025, the main focus was on raising awareness among women with disabilities and their parents on these matters.

The training participants discussed methods for identifying disaster risks caused by climate change, learned ways to introduce inclusive practices in their communities, and worked on strengthening their leadership, advocacy and effective communication skills.

“Parents, and mothers in particular, play a crucial role,” said participant Nino Maisuradze, who came from Telavi to attend the training. “When a disaster occurs, women first focus on the care of their family members, especially if any of them have disabilities and specific needs. Accordingly, it is very important that we are here today and learning about this topic. An informed parent is also the voice and ambassador of any person with a disability, sharing the knowledge they have gained with others.”

The knowledge gained by the participants through the training will help them strengthen their capacities and support them in engaging at the local level to introduce gender-responsive and inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction and response, as well as in implementing initiatives in their communities that address the needs of persons with disabilities.

At the end of the training, Esma Gumberidze, Chair of the organization for women with disabilities “Platform for New Opportunities” and one of the trainers, highlighted this very issue, stating: “Of course, it is very important for persons with disabilities to be involved in disaster risk prevention and response, and to know how to act while taking their specific needs into account. Equally important, however, is that they use this knowledge to work with government structures so that these needs are reflected in relevant policies and measures.”

The training was conducted in collaboration with the organizations “Partnership for Human Rights” and the “National Network of Women with Disabilities”. Notably, representatives of these organizations participated in a training-of-trainers on gender and disaster risk reduction in June 2025, supported by UN Women. They will continue to be involved in sharing knowledge on the role of women in disaster risk reduction in the future.

The training was part of the UN Women project “Gender in Disaster Risk Reduction”, which is implemented with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).