A study on gender issues in Uttarakhand disaster of June 2013 has elicited focus on the need for evolving a tailor made counseling programme for women who lost their husbands last year and are still emotionally strained.
The study undertaken by the Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre (DMMC) also states that the relief support after the June 2013 disaster is a classical case of overkill.
Carried out on a micro level based on qualitative data collected from 13 villages of Rudraprayag district that were worst affected in many aspects during June 2013 disaster, the study attempted to review the impact of disaster on women from different perspectives while also assessing the post-disaster damage and rehabilitation needs of women.
Several women who have lost their husbands in the disaster continue to be emotionally strained so the study report recommends a tailor made counselling programme to help such women to overcome the grief and carry on with their lives.
The report further states, "The relief support after the June 2013 disaster in Uttarakhand is a classical case of overkill. So much supply was dumped on the people that it literally lasted for several months. On humanitarian grounds it is good, but from the programme point of view it calls for streamlining the relief distribution mechanism.
The study notes that there has been equally effective post-disaster management of affairs by women. Their involvement in disaster management related planning could be formalised and the Panchayat or village level disaster management planning could be one such possible mechanism. Though mandated in the Panchayats' terms of reference, it has never been effectively implemented. Self-employment of women in agricultural pursuits has proved to be an effective buffer that helped them withstand the adverse economic effect of disaster. In view of high disaster vulnerability of the region, it is desirable that women's agricultural skills are further strengthened and opportunities to earn more (from the same field) are created. This would effectively contribute towards reducing economic vulnerability of women in disasters."
As is the tradition in mountainous areas, women in the study villages were observed to be the mainstay of the community. Besides taking care of routine household chores, fetching fodder and fuel-wood from the forest, they were also observed to manage agricultural fields working for a minimum of 10 to 12 hours a day. Despite their toil, their contribution was however not accorded any particular recognition.
Due to hard work and lack of nutrition, ageing of women was observed to be early and rapid. No complaint was however heard regarding this from any quarter, notes the study.
Another interesting point revealed by the study is that facilities like boarding, lodging and refreshments are being provided free of cost by the State government to the pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath this year which might be a welcome gesture by the State but is discouraging the locals who are struggling to restart their lost enterprises.
It would be more appropriate if the ownership of these facilities is passed on to the locals. It now remains to be seen whether the State government takes cognisance of the study and its recommendations.