The Australasian Women in Emergencies Network: A Catalyst for Gender Equity and Resilience in Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience

Summary: The establishment of the Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) underscores the importance of a volunteer-led initiative that prioritizes diversity, equity, and resilience in the emergency management and disaster response sector. Recognizing the need for greater inclusion of women in the emergency management and disaster resilience sector, AWE was established in Australia in 2018, quickly expanding to include New Zealand and, more recently, the Pacific. With overarching goals to promote, support, and recognise the contributions of women, AWE provides a platform for networking, promoting, information sharing, and collaboration, contributing to the growth and effectiveness of the emergency management and disaster resilience sector. This field report highlights the lessons learned from the establishment of AWE about capacity building and representation of women in the fields of emergency management and disaster medicine. There have been nearly 2,000 members who have joined AWE for free, representing a broad range of emergency service and health organisations, community and non-profit organisations, all levels of government, educational institutions, private businesses, volunteers, and community members. AWE partners with a wide range of organizations, including those from the emergency and disaster resilience sector, universities, sector groups, and other gender-focused organizations. AWE emphasizes diversity and inclusion, welcoming women of all intersectional identities and respecting individuals and allies of varied abilities, opinions, genders, and ethnicities. As AWE continues to grow, it highlights the impact of collaboration, shared knowledge, and empowerment in building a safer, more resilient future. Moving forward, AWE aims to expand its influence, driving positive change and supporting the establishment of similar groups worldwide, thereby contributing to a more equitable and diverse global emergency management community. This field report presents considerations for other global emergency management and disaster medicine contexts that are seeking to build capacity and address gender inequalities.