Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIZUTANI Akira at the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting (29. April 2022)
2022/4/29
On 29 April, Ambassador Mizutani attended the first meeting of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group under the 2022 Swedish Chairpersonship on the topic of “Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives and Empowering Women in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Responses”.
Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIZUTANI Akira at the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting, 29 April 2022
(As delivered)
Statement of Japan
Dear Madam Chairperson, Madam Secretary General, Chairperson of the Permanent Council, today’s moderator Mr. Ralf Ernst, Distinguished Speakers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
●First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to Sweden, Chair of the Asian Partners for Cooperation Group 2022, and Thailand for co-organising the first meeting of this year, under the very timely theme of “Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives and Empowering Women in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Emergency Responses”.
I would also like to thank the distinguished speakers for sharing with us your valuable insight.
●Large-scale disasters threaten the livelihood of all people, but women, children, and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected. In particular, women are often much more impacted compared to men in many ways and the impact further exacerbates the gender inequality that existed even before the disaster.
●Therefore, it is essential to incorporate the perspective of gender equality into all policies related to DRR and disaster management in order to make our economy and society more resilient, not only during times of disaster but also during normal times. The current situation in Ukraine reminds us anew how important it is to foster an awareness of gender equality in this field. It is also indispensable to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making roles and women’s representation in leadership.
●Japan is deeply committed to promoting women’s empowerment in DRR and has taken various measures in the context of both international cooperation and domestic affairs. As for international cooperation, Japan has been inviting government officials and representatives of civil society organisations from Asian countries, and providing training to support them include gender and diversity perspectives in their DRR and disaster prevention efforts.
In addition, the government of Japan has been cooperating with the OSCE to organise the "Expert roundtable on Gender Sensitive and Disability Inclusive DRR Policies and Management in Central Asia and Mongolia, and South-Eastern Europe" held in November 2021 and also " High-level Conference on Enhancing Gender Sensitive and Disability Inclusive DRR Policies and Management in the OSCE Area" to be held this coming June.
●In respect of the domestic efforts, Japan has strived to incorporate a gender perspective in its disaster management policies. The 5th Basic Plan for Gender Equality under the Basic Act for Gender Equal Society specifies disaster management as one of the priority areas.
In 2020, the government formulated the“Guidelines for disaster prevention and
reconstruction from the perspective of gender equality”based on Japan's experience with large-scale disasters, including the Great East Japan Earthquake occured in 2011, which is available on the website of the Cabinet Office of Japan. We hope the guideline can serve as a reference for our partners as they develop their own DRR policies.
Madam Chairperson,
●As a staunch supporter of the OSCE’s comprehensive security concept, Japan will continue to make greater efforts to build more resilient society where no gender is left behind, in close cooperation with the participating States and the Partners. Thank you.
<END>
Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIZUTANI Akira at the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting, 29 April 2022
(As delivered)
Statement of Japan
Dear Madam Chairperson, Madam Secretary General, Chairperson of the Permanent Council, today’s moderator Mr. Ralf Ernst, Distinguished Speakers, Ladies and Gentlemen,
●First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to Sweden, Chair of the Asian Partners for Cooperation Group 2022, and Thailand for co-organising the first meeting of this year, under the very timely theme of “Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives and Empowering Women in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Emergency Responses”.
I would also like to thank the distinguished speakers for sharing with us your valuable insight.
●Large-scale disasters threaten the livelihood of all people, but women, children, and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected. In particular, women are often much more impacted compared to men in many ways and the impact further exacerbates the gender inequality that existed even before the disaster.
●Therefore, it is essential to incorporate the perspective of gender equality into all policies related to DRR and disaster management in order to make our economy and society more resilient, not only during times of disaster but also during normal times. The current situation in Ukraine reminds us anew how important it is to foster an awareness of gender equality in this field. It is also indispensable to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making roles and women’s representation in leadership.
●Japan is deeply committed to promoting women’s empowerment in DRR and has taken various measures in the context of both international cooperation and domestic affairs. As for international cooperation, Japan has been inviting government officials and representatives of civil society organisations from Asian countries, and providing training to support them include gender and diversity perspectives in their DRR and disaster prevention efforts.
In addition, the government of Japan has been cooperating with the OSCE to organise the "Expert roundtable on Gender Sensitive and Disability Inclusive DRR Policies and Management in Central Asia and Mongolia, and South-Eastern Europe" held in November 2021 and also " High-level Conference on Enhancing Gender Sensitive and Disability Inclusive DRR Policies and Management in the OSCE Area" to be held this coming June.
●In respect of the domestic efforts, Japan has strived to incorporate a gender perspective in its disaster management policies. The 5th Basic Plan for Gender Equality under the Basic Act for Gender Equal Society specifies disaster management as one of the priority areas.
In 2020, the government formulated the“Guidelines for disaster prevention and
reconstruction from the perspective of gender equality”based on Japan's experience with large-scale disasters, including the Great East Japan Earthquake occured in 2011, which is available on the website of the Cabinet Office of Japan. We hope the guideline can serve as a reference for our partners as they develop their own DRR policies.
Madam Chairperson,
●As a staunch supporter of the OSCE’s comprehensive security concept, Japan will continue to make greater efforts to build more resilient society where no gender is left behind, in close cooperation with the participating States and the Partners. Thank you.
<END>