Women making it happen in the recovery from Tropical Storm Erika

UNFPA Assistant Representative De-Jane Gibbons handing over a dignity kit sponsored by UNFPA and UN Women in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika’s impact on Dominica.

Women are making a significant contribution in Dominica’s rebuilding process following the devastating and tragic impact of Tropical Storm Erika. Half of the shelter managers in Dominica are women and more than 64% of those volunteering with the Red Cross are women.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, Sylvanie Burton noted: “The local theme, ‘Recovering from Erika: Make it Happen’ calls on all of us to take action to ensure that women’s rights are observed in the process of rebuilding and to recognise women’s contributions to disaster management and building disaster-resilient communities.”

UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) are providing support to the Government of Dominica relief and recovery efforts including the provision of dignity kits for women and girls from the impacted communities.

The Bureau of Gender Affairs traditionally commemorates International Day of Rural Women in a grand exposition and cultural fair.  However, in light of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika the Bureau instead focussed on raising awareness on the impact of disasters on rural women through a brunch and handing over ceremony of the final dignity kits to women and girls from the rural communities of Fond St. Jean, Bagatelle, Fab, and Stowe.