Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable groups (women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly), especially in disaster-prone areas. Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) insights from the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier’s (OTP) questionnaire illuminate the investigation into gender-responsive disaster management in the eThekwini Municipality. Evaluating gender integration reveals policy strengths and weaknesses.

Speaking on the findings was CGE legal officer Sandile Useni. 

The CGE analysed the guidelines to assess the Provincial Climate Action Plan’s integration of gender considerations, promotion of gender equality in climate action.

The plan also shows partial gender responsiveness, recognising women and youth and including empowerment initiatives. However, gender mainstreaming is inconsistent across themes, lacking measurable indicators.

“The Commission recognises the strengths of the plan, which include, among other things, commitments to empower women and youth in climate leadership roles, training and capacity-building programs targeting these groups, support for women-led enterprises in green economy sectors, disaster relief centres that include psychosocial support and safety measures for vulnerable groups, and the integration of indigenous knowledge and inclusive curricula to benefit women and marginalised communities,” Useni said.

“However, analysis of the plan revealed gaps, such as the absence of clear targets for women’s participation or benefit-sharing. There is no dedicated funding for gender-focused interventions, and gender considerations are not fully integrated into infrastructure, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction strategies. Targeted improvements, such as measurable indicators, dedicated budgets, and structural reforms, can make it a fully gender-responsive framework that promotes equality and resilience.” 

Useni noted the KZN Integration Climate Resilience and Action Plan’s potential to aid women-headed households through climate-inclusive housing. However, the plan lacks explicit gender analysis, gender-disaggregated data, mention of women’s participation in decision-making, and gender-specific indicators or targets. Furthermore, shelter safety structures lack gender-sensitive design for privacy and protection against gender-based violence (GBV).

“The OTP stated that they have not developed or endorsed any gender-responsive disaster management policies. Neither did they submit any gender-responsive policy or mainstreaming framework/strategy but stated that at eThekwini Municipality, the Disaster Management assessment gives an outline of all variables that need to be considered in responding to the affected victims,” Useni said. 

During the April 2022 floods, preventing and responding to GBV in temporary shelters and relief sites such as Transitional Emergency Accommodations (TEA) was a critical focus. 

The CGE’s assessment, according to Useni, found that the OTP’s disaster response, climate adaptation, relief coordination, and intergovernmental engagement systems are fragmented, inconsistent, and largely gender-blind, despite their activity. While the OTP detailed its interventions, it largely delegates disaster management responsibility to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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