Duryog Nivaran (DN) is a network of individuals and organizations working in South Asia committed to promoting the alternative perspective on disasters and vulnerability as a basis for disaster mitigation in the region. The alternative perspective is to look at disasters as unresolved problems of development -- as part of the "normal" development of the societies. It emphasizes the need to look at relationships and structures within society that determine why certain sectors are more vulnerable to disasters than others. These forces and factors dictate who has access to power and resources of various types, and thereby who has more access to material benefits, and who has more control over their own lives. In this context, the DN network recognises that a focus on and analysis of gender relations and social norms of different societies and communities is essential.

The Network organized a regional workshop on Gender and Disasters in Multan, Pakistan in March 1996. The workshop brought together case studies presenting grassroots experiences on the subject of women in disaster situations in various parts of South Asia. The workshop re-emphasized the fact that, as a result of prevailing gender-based norms in South Asia, women are more vulnerable to both natural and man made disasters.

The workshop also brought into focus the strength and the capacity that women demonstrate before, during and after disasters. The case studies underlined women's coping strategies and their contribution towards family survival. In this context, the usual role of the media, which revolves around sensationalising disasters, projecting women and children as only the victims and not as survivors with great ingenuity, was also discussed.

The workshop arrived at an Action Plan with regard to Gender and Disasters, and Media and NGO relations. Among the several recommendations made, it was suggested that gender training for disaster mitigation workers coupled with disaster preparedness education for women at the community level should be made a part of the entire development process. Edited case studies supported by some other research material are forthcoming as a published volume: "South Asian Women: Facing Disasters, Securing Life (ed. Priyanthi Fernando & Vijitha Fernando)". For details please contact: Ms. Madhavi Ariyabandhu, Duryog Nivaran Secretariat, 5, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha Kirulapone, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. Tel: (94-1) 852149; Fax: (94-1) 856188; Email: itsrilan@sri.lanka.net.