volcanic eruptions. In addition to natural calamities, Filipinos, especially in certain areas of Mindanao, are also affected by other crisis situations due to armed conflict. Disasters affect communities and its members in different ways and scale. The poorest areas suffer more and women, especially those who live in remote rural areas, usually bear the brunt of the effects of disasters. CHALLENGES FACED BY RURAL WOMEN AMIDST DISASTERS AND CRISIS SITUATIONS Rural women are more vulnerable in times of disasters and crisis situations. Care work, a role prescribed to women by the society, becomes even more difficult during disaster and conflict situations when access to resources becomes more limited. Caring for injured and ill family members as a result of said situations adds up to their challenge. Due to the scarcity in resources, there are instances when women are exposed to sexual exploitation and prostitution just to acquire basic needs, such as food, for their families. A woman’s role in her community could even determine the difference between life or death. For example, a 1993 study of the effects of an earthquake in India found that more women died during the disaster because they were inside their homes and consequently crushed by falling debris, while men were working in the fields (Lacson, 2015). These are just some of the challenges that rural women face amidst emergency situations. To dig deeper on the multiple burden that rural women experience, the Commission on Human Rights organized a series of forum-workshops with representatives of rural women’s groups from various parts of the country. The Womenitarian Forum: Women Leadership in Disasters and Climate Challenges was held on March 28-29, 2017 and Forum-Workshop on Empowering Rural Women amidst Disasters and Crisis Situations was held on December 12, 2017. Based on the said activities, general issues affecting rural women amidst disasters that were gathered are the following: • Multiple burden of women exists anytime (before the disaster, and even worse during and after the disaster). • The way disaster and climate change is being looked at is very neutral resulting to blanket distribution of relief goods and services. It was further noted that there is a need to highlight specific experience/context of women without excluding other identities. • There is insufficient data and information on the profile and situation of rural women. In the said activities, specific issues affecting rural women from different sectors were also identified. These sectors are: 1) women with disabilities, 2) older women, 3) Indigenous peoples and 4) farmers and fisherfolks. The situation and main issues for these groups are summarized as follows: 1. Issues of Rural Women with Disabilities • There is lack of provision of basic needs and services addressed specifically to the PWD during relief operations. For example, there are no mobile chairs in relief queues and no appropriate and sturdy outdoor wheel-chair with correct measurements. 23