Tales of Displacement and Survival by Ordinary People

Author: Faria Salman

Women and girls are agents of change in crisis situations and can offer rich and first hand perspectives of how they are affected by and are able to respond to disasters, emergencies, displacement, social reconstruction and stabilization.

The journey of local women and girls affected by complex emergencies, natural disasters, and humanitarian displacement in Pakistan was showcased by UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) under its ‘Women’s Leadership in Social Reconstruction’ programme during the ‘INNOVATIVE DENMARK’ event organized by the Royal Danish Embassy in Islamabad on 26 May 2016. The event not only showcased Danish contributions to peace and stabilization but also celebrated the strong relations and partnership between Denmark and Pakistan.

Visitors to UN Women’s stall were encouraged to ‘relate to’ and ‘become’ displaced persons for a few minutes. In responding to simulated real-time situations, ordinary people from different walks of life described their reactions and actions if faced with a disaster or emergency situation. The responses received in many cases were different and rather interesting when compared to how displaced women and girls have reacted and actually experienced.

UN Women/Atif Mansoor Khan

Some of the scenarios reflected upon included: You are told to leave your home within five hours, an emergency situation - what are the things you will take? You are ‘temporarily dislocated’ due to a sudden disaster, how do you feel? Returning ‘home’ from ‘tent-life’, what thoughts go through your mind? You are a young girl who for the first time has to live close to unknown families, what are your fears? and What do you think are the three immediate needs of displaced women and girls?

UN Women’s country programme on ‘Women’s Leadership in Social Reconstruction’ in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy is working to enhance synergies so (i) Policy and institutional level responses and coordination incorporate women and girls as change agents and promote gender equality commitments in disasters and emergencies, and (ii) Stabilization, social reconstruction and peace building promote security and protect the rights of women and girls.