A gender perspective needs to be integrated into all disaster risk management policies, plans and decision making processes, including those related to risk assessment, early warning, information management, education and training. In this regard, as per the Policy Framework and National Plan of Action to address Sexual and Gender based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lanka, under the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has identified the need of creating a common platform and an informative dialogue among relevant stakeholders, to fill the gaps in practical guidance in gender mainstreaming in disaster risk management, at local and community level.

The Disaster Management Centre with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is developing a handbook on “Gender, Sexual Gender Based Violence in Disasters”, with a view of educating and creating greater awareness among the relevant stakeholders.

The process commenced a few years ago and after several consultative meetings with the stakeholders, the final draft document was presented for validation on 28th June 2022. The review discussions of the validation process were held in hybrid form at the Disaster Management Centre, under the guidance of Major General (Retd.) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre. Further, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi , Representative for Sri Lanka and Country Director for The Maldives of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also participated at this programme, which was well attended by participants representing key government organisations, UN organisations, NGOs, INGOs, civil societies.