UNDRR等との共催CSWサイドイベント「Reducing disaster risk through a gender-responsive midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030」における石兼大使ステートメント

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the UNDRR for organizing this timely and important event. I would like to express my appreciation to the co-sponsors for their support with this event and this agenda as a whole.
 
This year's CSW provides an opportunity for us to vitalize the discussion on the ways in which gender equality can help reduce disaster risk.
 
With a view to ensuring human security, Japan has been a staunch supporter of this agenda for a long time. At the CSW, Japan facilitated resolutions on "Gender equality and the empowerment of women in natural disasters" in the 56th and 58th sessions. In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and the ensuing tsunami struck Japan. Drawing on that experience, these resolutions address the vital role of women in disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, as well as urge governments and other stakeholders to take actions, such as policy review, capacity building of institutions and authorities, resource allocation, and date collection, which are all reflected in the draft Agreed Conclusion of the CSW, now being negotiated. 
 
In 2004, one third of Japan’s 47 prefectures had no women serving on their prefectural disaster management councils, with a total of only 2% of seats occupied by women.  Every prefectural disaster management council now has women members accounted for 16% of disaster management council positions in 2019. There still remains more work to be done, but efforts will continue for meaningful participation of women at the national, local and community levels in order to respond to a future crisis.
 
I look forward to hearing about other national efforts today, and I hope today's event will provide an opportunity for gender and disaster risk reduction stakeholders to effectively collaborate to advance gender-responsive implementation of the Sendai Framework as an integral component of the 2030 Agenda.
 
Thank you.