Gender Equailty Update No 8

The Inter-Cluster Gender Working Group’s reflections about the integration of Gender Equality in the humanitarian response to the Nepal earthquakes - 2015

Co-chaired by UN OCHA and UN Women, the inter-cluster Gender Working Group (GWG) comprises of 11 gender focal points nominated by the clusters/sub-clusters, and is technically supported by a senior GenCap Adviser from the InterAgency Steering Commitee - co-hosted by UN Women and UN OCHA.

Since its establishment on 30 April 2015, 5 days after the earthquake the Inter-Cluster Gender Working Group continues to offer significant support within the Humanitarian Country Team to ensure compliance with IASC gender policy commitments and to follow up on the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) adopted Key Advocacy Messages on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Humanitarian Response in Nepal. As a member in the HCT and the Inter Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), the GWG offers strategic advice to the HCT and targeted guidance to clusters on gender equality issues.

There are several important lessons learnt and significant good practices of the Inter-cluster Gender Working Group (GWG), which can contribute as reference and guidance to strengthen gender The Inter-Cluster Gender Working Group’s reflections about the integration of Gender Equality in the humanitarian response to the Nepal earthquakes - 2015 equality commitments during future disaster preparedness and response efforts.

The following are some key reflections from the members of the Inter-Cluster Gender Working Group on good practices, lessons learned and suggestions for future disaster responses and preparedness efforts to promote the integration of gender equality in the humanitarian response, including ensuring the rights and needs of vulnerable groups, including women and girls who remain to be at the centre.