Empowering Women in Flood Affected Areas

The devastating floods of 2011 and 2013 in Pakistan particularly in the Sind region has affected about 5.3 million people and 1.2 million homes (approx) in 12 districts of the province. These internally displaced people have lost their homes, land, livestock and belongings and are settled in various relief camps set up by government and international organizations. However what they are actually looking for is the  rebuilding and rehabilitation of their lives. 

Working as a UN volunteer I had my first hand experience of visiting the flood affected areas earlier this year. We visited few villages in District Badin & Thatta and spoke to the common people to get an account of the relief work being carried out in their villages. Most of the people settled in these areas have lost all their belongings, their cattle (usually their only means of livelihood). There is an acute shortage of drinking water and people have to walk miles to fetch water for their families. Due to scarcity of water, agricultural activities are also not feasible in these areas which is leading to food shortages and obstruction in their means of livelihood.

Living in such dire conditions, women and children are the worst affected with no facilities or access to any kind of health care. Maternal death ratios are very high in these areas along with child mortality due to outbreak of diseases; most recently being the measles outbreak. Ironically it is usually the women who are capable of earning any kind of livelihood for the family after losing their land and livestock in floods. They are involved in stitching, embroidery and handicrafts.  They sell their work to buyers in cities through middlemen who usually do not compensate their work to its true worth.



The Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Sind (PDMA) is already working in close connection with International Organisations for rehabilitation work. However some issues need to be higlighted; instead of focusing on providing relief goods and rations, measures should be taken to ensure pre disaster preparation and recovery plans. If proper skills development and capacity building trainings are held, these women are capable of bringing considerable change in their lives. Regular trainings on DRR (Disaster Risk Recovery) and Gender Mainstreaming conducted in all affected areas will ensure that women are not marginalized. Adult litracy programs focused towards health and hygiene can built awareness on issues such as reproductive health, spacing births and choosing family size. Skill development and grant support programs running in parallel can revive small businesses and cottage industries in these areas. There is low investment and infrastructure cost involved in setting up handicrafts/garment and small production units since most of the women have adequate skills and are equipped with basic tools. Other cottage industries like weaving, pottery, ceramics and textiles should be introduced on a mass level which can become a fruitful means of earning for themselves and their families.

I am no Superman but…

I wonder why we can’t have a real life super hero of our own. Like a Batman or a Superman?

A vigilant figure that would come out in the night, disguised and fights the bad guys. Someone who would be present on the signals where most snatchings are taking place; would love to see someone break arms of the thugs while they hold a gun to an innocent man behind the wheels. I still remember the day I got snatched at one of the busy signals. I could see this guy coming to our car, holding a gun. He asked for our phones; we acted as robots and automatically handed over our belongings to him. While he walked away I felt this instant urge to do something about it, something that would break the guy’s confident retreat to his accomplice.  

When we talk about the history of such vigilant forces they are not a fantasy and have always existed in places where governments failed to ensure security and justice. Robin Hood was one of the first characters formed on the basis of injustices in the society due to failure of governance. In today's modern times the Davao Death Squad who claim to be a vigilante outfit has been directly involved in making Philippines' Davao City "the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia" as per tourism organisations. Similarly another case reported in England in 2006 involves slashing tires of more than twenty cars, leaving a note made from cut-out newsprint with the words: you have been seen driving while using your mobile phone.

But then we just have to be our own super hero sometimes. So how many of us are capable of taking care of ourselves on our own? Unfortunately not many of us are comfortable with the idea of self defence let alone equipping ourselves with self defence products such as stun guns, pepper spray, mace etc. It is advisable in these times that one should at least carry a pepper spray while going out.

Our best bet is to try and avoid dangerous situations by being alert and watchful.  In case we encounter any such situation where we feel compromised and cannot avoid it then at least we should be equipped so much so not to be at the mercy of the assailant. Rather aiming for an upfront collision, the aim should be to break away from the situation as quickly as possible. This is when self defence comes in handy. A pepper can used in time would distract the invader and would buy out enough time to make a escape, but it can also backfire in case one is not fully aware of how to use it properly. Similarly stun guns or Tasers are also effective in case you are being mugged in your house or kidnapped in your own car. A personally tried and tested approach is never to stop your car at a signal. For instance if you can see the red light from way ahead its better to slow down but keep on moving instead of speeding up and then waiting behind another car. A robber would think twice about approaching a moving vehicle even if it is slow. 

The overall security situation is worsening everyday. However if you are not comfortable with the idea of carrying a self defence device or weapon don’t hype yourself.  It can backfire if you are not confident and you can end up in a much worse situation. But to become true masters of our fate we need to take control of various factors. Try being extra observant, avoid particular places famous for mugging (signals etc), keep your senses calm under all situations and take calculated measures.