By Pratiti Sasmal, AIDMI, West Bengal, India

Community preparedness and early warning systems are essential for reducing disaster risks, but their effectiveness depends on whether everyone can safely act on warnings. For many women and girls, evacuation routes, shelters, and public spaces during emergencies can become sites of harassment and insecurity. Preparedness must therefore integrate protection concerns alongside technical planning.

First, mapping GBV risks along evacuation routes and public spaces is critical. Communities should identify poorly lit pathways, isolated areas, and congested zones where women may face harassment during evacuation. Women’s knowledge of local environments should guide this mapping.

Second, integrating safety audits into community preparedness plans can help Panchayats assess lighting, sanitation facilities, shelter layouts, and crowd management systems from a protection perspective.

Third, strengthening women’s leadership in community preparedness committees ensures that safety concerns are recognised and addressed before disasters occur.

Fourth, designing inclusive early warning communication systems that reach women directly through trusted networks can improve both trust and timely response.

Finally, training community volunteers and responders on gender-sensitive preparedness and protection can help ensure that evacuation and shelter management prioritise dignity and safety. When protection is embedded into preparedness planning, early warning systems become more effective and equitable for the entire community.