13 November 2014 – The Philippines stressed the important role of women in disaster risk reduction (DRR) as women contribute and benefit from everything that takes place in the society.

This is what Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations, said during the opening program/high level panel of the Conference on Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services November 05.

Furthermore, the Philippines expressed appreciation to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its partner agencies and governments for organizing the Conference.

“We thank and congratulate the WMO for convening this Conference on Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services. We are likewise very pleased that a Conference on Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services is held regularly with the view of empowering women in this area,” Ambassador Rebong said.

Ambassador Rebong emphasized that women should be part of development policies in DRR.

She said: “Our experiences, the last one being the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), have shown that women have a pivotal role in preparing their families and communities before typhoon strikes; in humanitarian response, as well as in rehabilitation and recovery efforts. There were many examples of women who were heads or leaders of barangays, the smallest unit of government in the Philippines, who led in humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).”

The Conference, held on November 05 to 07 at the WMO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on ensuring that weather and climate services embrace the special needs and strengths of women to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and climate change and realize their potential as champions of community resilience.

The Conference was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Geneva, experts on climate change and weather services from capitals as well as representatives of relevant UN agencies, specialized organizations, non-governmental organizations and think thanks. END