“Gender equality saves lives when disaster hits”

When natural disasters strike, a lack of gender equality can mean the difference between life and death. That’s according to Robert Glasser, head of the UN’ s disaster risk reduction office UNISDR. He’s one of more than 100 heads of UN agencies and international organisations who’ve signed up to the International Geneva Gender Champions initiative. Mr Glasser told Daniel Johnson why the issue is so important both within his organisation and in the field.

No women, no peace

Women must be equal partners in peace efforts if post-conflict societies are to move forward. That’s the message coming from Gender Advisers at 14 UN peacekeeping missions who met recently in Entebbe, Uganda. Clare Hutchinson is a Gender Adviser with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York. She told Ratomir Petrovic about work aimed at ensuring women’s voices are heard both inside and outside UN peacekeeping missions.

Solar energy helps Senegalese women farmers tackle climate change

Good farming practices and solar energy have helped to save a women’s agricultural cooperative in Senegal. The 65 members were about to give up on growing vegetables due to soil degradation caused by low rainfall. However, investment by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has brought solar-powered pumps—and a steady supply of water—to their community. Sam Cole has the story.

Presenter: Daniel Dickinson

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10’00″