Gender inclusive early warning in India

Women play a critical role in community preparedness.
When women are actively engaged in multi-hazard early warning systems disaster risk reduction becomes more inclusive, accessible and successful.
Odisha state in India has over 480 kilometres of coastline and is impacted by cyclones, floods, droughts, heatwaves and tsunamis.
The state’s residents are at heightened risk due to their fragile socioeconomic situation.
The Asia Foundation has documented the lived experience and traditional knowledge of these communities producing case studies on the impacts of coastal erosion on women’s livelihoods.
This has helped the establishment of women-led citizens’ forums and a more inclusive early warning system covering 1,205 villages. Odisha has become the first Indian state to have an early warning system in place for people living along its coastline.
When women design and lead these projects, perspectives broaden messaging becomes more inclusive and vulnerable communities become more resilient.