How Laws and Policies Support Gender-Responsive Disaster Risk Management in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has developed a robust legal and policy framework to support gender-responsive disaster risk management (DRM), recognizing the disproportionate impact of disasters on women and marginalized groups. The country’s Constitution guarantees gender equality, and its DRM policies—such as the Disaster Management Act 2012, Standing Orders on Disaster 2019, and the National Plan for Disaster Management 2021–2025—progressively integrate gender considerations. Bangladesh is also committed to international frameworks like CEDAW, the Sendai Framework, and the Paris Agreement. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including limited representation of women in decision-making bodies and gaps in implementation. To strengthen gender integration, the brief recommends inclusive early warning systems, enhanced budgeting and monitoring, stronger institutional collaboration, and increased participation of women in DRM governance.