| Statement
by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women,
in regard to the Tsunami disaster in South East Asia, 26 December
2004
The Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women shares the expressions
of support and solidarity that have been offered by so many around
the world to all people affected by the devastating Tsunami in South
East Asia on 26 December 2004.
The unprecedented
scale of the Tsunami disaster impacts on all survivors, women and
men, causing loss of life, injuries, separation from and loss of
loved ones, extreme trauma and loss of security, basic needs – including
shelter, food and water and sanitation – and livelihoods. In the
wake of the Tsunami, the gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities
of women and girls must be identified and addressed in all responses
to the humanitarian and recovery needs. There are gender perspectives
to be taken into account in relation to impacts on both a long and
short-term basis, including in relation to health, security and
livelihoods.
Pro-active steps
must be taken to ensure that women and girls living in the affected
communities, as well as local women’s groups, and women community
leaders and government officials are full, equal and effective participants
in all relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, including
in distribution of assistance of any kind.
Particular attention
must be paid to identify and respond to specific vulnerabilities
of women and girls in situations of disaster, and in particular
to gender-based violence, sexual abuse and trafficking. As the protection
of safety and dignity of survivors is among the priorities of relief
work, specific attention must be paid to the prevention of gender-based
violence and abuse of women and girls. All those who abuse women
and girls in this situation of particular vulnerability must be
brought to justice and severely punished.
The Committee
calls on all those who provide assistance and relief, and contribute
to the reconstruction of the devastated communities to respond fully
to the gender-specific needs of women and girls. The Committee encourages
that the ongoing efforts be used as a window of opportunity to ensure
that the promotion of gender equality is a central pillar in the
reconstruction and development of the affected communities, and
that a gender perspective is integrated in all humanitarian efforts.
It also suggests that the appropriate intergovernmental body if
the United Nations consider preparing a comprehensive action-oriented
resolution on the gender perspectives of disaster relief and humanitarian
assistance, following the example of Security Council resolution
1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.
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