WORKSHOP ON MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
During the week of 27-31 July 2026, METEO RWANDA, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Women Rwanda, completed a workshop on Mainstreaming Gender in Early Warning Systems, held under the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) East Africa Project. The event brought together participants from diverse sectors across Rwanda to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society organizations to integrate gender considerations into Early Warning Systems (EWS), impact-based forecasting, service delivery, institutional planning, and community engagement.
This workshop served as a platform for participants to exchange experiences, identify key challenges, and develop practical strategies for strengthening inclusive early warning services that respond effectively to the diverse needs, capacities, and vulnerabilities of women, men, youth, and people with disabilities.
The exclusion of persons with disabilities from effective climate early warning communication is not an isolated technical gap it is deeply linked to broader patterns of social and gender inequality. Advancing gender equality in climate services provides a critical entry point for addressing this gap, as inclusive, gender-responsive design principles directly improve accessibility, participation, and outcomes for persons with disabilities. A truly Early Warnings for All approach must therefore treat gender equality and disability inclusion as mutually reinforcing, non-negotiable pillars of climate service delivery. MUSHIMIYIMANA Gaudence, Executive Secretary of UNABU
Women sit at the heart of community life. Their daily knowledge of household needs, local networks, and community dynamics makes their insight essential to effective disaster management. Empowering women as local early warning champions doesn't just benefit them individually; it strengthens preparedness for their entire communities, multiplying the impact of every warning issued. Albert KAYOMBYA Representative from GMO
Disasters do not discriminate; unequal access does. Climate hazards may affect everyone, but inequalities determine who receives it, who can act on it, and who recovers. Advancing gender equality is therefore essential to building resilient communities and an effective, people-centred early warning system. Jeanne D’Arc Umulisa: programme coordination analyst, UN Women Rwanda
The path to resilience starts with inclusion. equality in early warning, preparedness, and response, communities are stronger, safer, and better able to recover from shock. Joan Kimaku: Humanitarian & Programme Associate, UN Women ESARO
“Most vulnerable people bear the greatest impact from climate-related hazards. People-centred Early warning services are built with communities, not for communities. Meaningful engagement ensures that warnings are accessible, trusted, understood, and acted upon by all. It is time to strengthen our collective efforts to ensure their inclusion in Early Warning Systems. DG/METEO RWANDA, at the Mainstreaming Gender in Early Warning Systems workshop
Mainstreaming gender in early warning systems (EWS) integrates gender considerations into every stage of the early warning process rather than treating gender as an afterthought or a separate add-on activity. It ensures that warning systems work equally well for women, men, girls, boys, and other vulnerable groups who may be differently affected or have different capacities to receive and act on warnings.