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. ● Access to public transportation is also difficult for rural women with disabilities. Public transportation, whether in rural or urban areas, lacks provision for persons with disabilities. However, rural women with disabilities are more marginalized as there is less public transportation in rural areas and they have less access to well-constructed roads. ● This group is also more prone to abuses during disasters. Abuses may be in the form of physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Abusers take advantage of the situation and the women are generally more challenged in protecting themselves against physical abuse. ● There is also lack of data on women with disabilities, especially in the rural areas. There is lack of information on the number of rural women with disabilities, the types of disabilities, and their specific needs. There are also issues in identifying persons with disabilities and assessing their needs. As such, they remain invisible in national statistics and therefore unprotected ● Rural women with disabilities also have limited knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and how to access services during emergencies. They also have limited access to services provided during emergencies. ● The participants also said that women and girls with disabilities are at times invisible in gender movements including in DRR and emergencies. 2. Issues of Elderly Women 23