There is a critical need for gender-inclusive strategies in disaster resilience, as illustrated by the aftermath of Australia’s Black Summer Bushfires 2019-2020. Japan’s experiences highlight the role of Community-Based Organisations for meeting emergency response needs, particularly in addressing the needs of women, who face heightened risks and challenges during crises.

Community-based organisations (CBOs) play a critical role in assisting people to be better equipped to engage in society. Often, these organisations take on responsibilities that the government is unable to address. This dynamic results in CBOs becoming overstretched as they respond to urgent needs of their communities while simultaneously highlighting gaps in government policy, such as the need for gender-inclusive strategies in disaster resilience measures. The aftermath of Australia’s Black Summer Bushfires 2019-2020 is a stark example of this issue.

The Royal Commission’s Inquiry into the Australian government’s response to the bushfires revealed a significant increase in gender-based violence reported by CBOs. For instance, the New South Wales Council of Social Services found that 60,000 women reported experiencing family and domestic violence for the first time in 2020—an increase directly linked to the compounding crises of the bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar patterns were observed following New Zealand’s 2004 Whakatane flood, where domestic violence-based organisations such as Women’s Refuge saw their workloads triple.

The common thread in these disasters and countless others is that women turned to CBOs for help, when most are under-resourced, despite not being well integrated in disaster response measures supported by the government. Australia’s Select Committee on Disaster Resilience’s recent report, Boots on the Ground: Raising Resilience, acknowledges that CBOs are often the first responders in providing critical support to communities in crisis.

The report advocates for an integrated model that leverages the expertise of CBOs while guiding them on partnering effectively with local governments. The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal indicated in their submission to the Select Committee that CBOs play an instrumental role in preparedness and recovery but lack adequate funding. The Australian Council of Social Service mentioned in their submission that people who often require support from CBOs are “at greater risk from disasters and extreme weather events and least able to cope, adapt and recover.” However, despite these recommendations, the report falls short of addressing the specific needs of women in disaster resilience planning.

Australia could benefit from looking to Japan, where the government has taken steps to implement gender-inclusive measures in disaster management, providing a roadmap for how CBOs can help build safer communities for women. The Great East Japan Earthquake, otherwise known as “3/11” in Japan, a triple catastrophe of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in 2011, ignited a movement of gender-sensitive disaster measures. This movement was driven by the long-standing disappointment of Japanese women in their government’s response to earlier disasters, such as the Kobe Earthquake in 1995 and the Chuetsu Earthquake in 2004.

The Japan Women’s Network for Disaster Risk Reduction played a pivotal role in advocating for changes in emphasising the importance of recognising women not just as victims but as leaders in disaster recovery. Their efforts proved to be successful in the 2012 amendment of Japan’s Basic Act on Disaster Control Measures, which acknowledged women’s roles in the reconstruction process and the need for gender-sensitive community care services, stretching across adequate housing, health, and welfare.

These efforts have since upheld a strong legacy in demonstrating improved outcomes for women. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported an increase in female representation on disaster prevention councils from 13.2 percent in 2015 to 16.1 percent in 2020. Additionally, the Japanese Cabinet formed the Women’s Association for Disaster Management (WADM) in 2020, composed of women from the Cabinet Office’s Disaster Management Bureau and the Gender Equality Bureau. A WADM survey found that increased female leadership in Local Disaster Management Councils led to more regular stockpiling of essential items for women and infants in emergency shelters.

In Australia, the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (NDSR) acknowledges the need to consider diverse community needs and how CBOs could engage with the Council of Australian Governments for resources and expertise. While the NSDR is recognised by all jurisdictions, it does not specifically address gender-sensitive strategies.

The National Gender and Emergency Management (GEM) Guidelines, developed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, provide a critical framework for integrating gender considerations into emergency management. However, formal recognition and adoption of these guidelines vary across states and territories. Victoria has taken significant steps to incorporate gender considerations into its emergency management practices through initiatives like the Gender and Disaster Pod which focuses on the “harmful impacts of gender stereotypes in disaster,” and is invested in developing research and training programs for emergency responders. However, other states and territories have fallen short of implementing the GEM Guidelines to the same degree.

Australia needs to build on these foundations and adopt a consistent gender-sensitive approach to disaster resilience across all states and territories. By doing so, Australia can ensure that women are not only protected in times of crisis but are also empowered to lead in the rebuilding and recovery process.

Integrating gender-sensitive policies into disaster management is not just a matter of equity—it is essential for creating resilient communities. By drawing on Japan’s strategies and fostering collaboration between CBOs and government bodies, Australia can better prepare for future disasters, ensuring that no woman is excluded.

Daweena Motwany is a Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor at PowerHousing Australia, where she leads initiatives to advance housing policies and support community housing providers. With expertise in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, she is passionate about creating inclusive communities. Daweena is also an inaugural participant of the Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network, reflecting her commitment to fostering regional collaboration and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

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