With the heightened probability of more intense and frequent disasters due to climate change, coupled with social fragmentation and mounting pressure on emergency services, communities face growing challenges in recovery. Extended recovery periods will have an adverse effect on families, partners, and specific vulnerable groups. Research has demonstrated an upsurge in domestic and family violence following such disasters.
Lessons in Disaster training will help you understand:
- The distinct experiences of women, men, and LGBTIQA+ people during disasters.
- How gender roles often expect men to protect and provide while women are expected to prioritise nurturing others at the expense of their own safety.
- That LGBTIQA+ people’s needs are frequently overlooked in disaster situations.
- That applying a gendered lens at every stage of disaster leads to stronger and more inclusive communities in recovery.
Speaker Information:
Alina Thomas (she/her) is a respected spokesperson on family violence and gender inequality in Australia. For the past decade, she has served as the CEO of Engender Equality, where she oversees therapeutic services and delivers comprehensive family violence prevention and response training. Alina holds a degree in Social Sciences (Community Services) and a postgraduate degree in Women’s Studies. She has also trained under the United Nations in Gender Mainstreaming. Residing in nipaluna/Hobart, lutruwita/Tasmania, Alina serves as an ally for LGBTIQA+ people and all communities actively marginalised by the strategic withholding of power and resources.
Selina Thomas is a practising social worker with extensive experience in the mental health system, and gender based violence services. She has worked internationally in refugee programs, and in remote communities which are experiences that heavily shape her cross-cultural and intersectional approach. She also holds post-graduate qualifications in Disaster Healthcare, Mental Health Practise, and Public Health.
She has experience in frontline disaster response through both professional and volunteer roles, and was awarded the National Emergency Medal for her work during the 2019-2020 fires. Selina has also had active roles in disaster planning (including COVID-19) implementing strategies to support and engage particularly vulnerable people, such as rough sleepers. She endeavours to bring these diverse experiences, and the voices of people often overlooked in disaster planning and response, to her work with GADAus.