BY JOY OFASIA
THE country has been experiencing bad weather the past weeks and it is important that people take extra precautions.
The call to take precautions was made by Vois Blo Mere Solomon Islands Director Josephine Teakeni.
With Vois Blo Mere an organisation that advocates for women’s voices of the country, Ms Teakeni issues an advice to all women that they must participate and articulate issues to help them prepare for times like this.
“It is very important for women to communicate and help themselves by discussing issues in decision making bodies in the natural disaster and protection with dignity in times of disaster.
“Women are the front line when disaster strikes, so we must be always ready to be eager to find information on preventing issues that could happen.
“There are ways that awareness goes out to prepare people during disaster times such as disaster preparedness in the media,” she expressed.
Ms Teakeni added that it is important to see women playing deeper roles during times of natural disasters.
“We want to see women taking part in such activities that will help to prepare people in disaster times so that our voices can be heard.
“It is very important to include women in disaster management processes, this is because the disaster response must ensure the diverse needs of all are met.
“When women are included in all management processes it includes management of evacuation centres in order to prevent sexual and gender based violence and to ensure the diverse needs of all are met in times of disasters,” she said.
Meanwhile, Vois Blo Mere is currently joining hands with FemLINK Pacific to coordinate awareness on weather watch in the region.
This is part of the growing objective to have women leaders taking part in disaster management and one of its major aims is to ensure that needs of people in the Pacific across all diversities are taken into account because everyone has the right to protection and human security with dignity.
This project is implemented through the women’s network across the region whereby women leaders, activists, and organizations devise key recommendations that will enhance leadership and resilience regarding gender inclusive humanitarian approach.
In the meantime, Vois Blo Mere will be focusing this year with our women on how to prepare themselves and how they articulate their issues in their leadership positions in communities and how they network and link women in times of disaster.
