UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you are a woman (or other gender) from the Pacific Islands or Asia-Pacific, passionate about building safer and more resilient communities, applications are now open for the UNITAR Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction Training Programme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025. This prestigious programme, generously supported by the Government and People of Japan, aims to empower 100 participants with leadership and disaster risk reduction (DRR) skills, while promoting inclusive solutions for disaster preparedness and response.
🎓 Program Summary
Location: Online (UNITAR Hiroshima Office – virtual training)
Sponsor: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Division for Prosperity
Type: Training / Capacity-building Programme
Target Group: Women (priority given), and others aged 18+ from Pacific Island countries and Asia-Pacific (open globally with regional focus)
Fields of Focus: Disaster Risk Reduction, Inclusive Leadership, Climate Change Resilience, Community Preparedness
Value & Coverage: Fully funded (no participation fee, supported by the Government of Japan) + Certificate
Duration: September 2025 – March 2026 (two phases)
Application Deadline: 3 September 2025 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9])
Start Date: September 2025
Eligible To: Adults (18+), primarily from Pacific Islands and Asia-Pacific; others may apply globally with understanding that content is contextualized to the region.
🌍 Programme Overview
The UNITAR Women’s Leadership in DRR Programme is designed around the context of the Pacific Rim – one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world. From the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and more recent Pacific disasters, lessons learned highlight the urgent need for inclusive preparedness and strong leadership.
The programme is structured into two phases:
Phase I: Online Learning (September – November 2025)
100 participants will take part in online self-paced modules via the EdApp platform.
Includes four sections:
Introduction to DRR and Japan’s Experiences
Climate Change and DRR in the Pacific and Asia
Women’s Leadership and Inclusive DRR
Future Disasters, AI, and Build Back Better
Interactive webinars with international experts.
Final assignment: Development of an individual disaster risk reduction plan.
Phase II: Specialized Training with Experts (March 2026)
Top-performing participants from Phase I will be invited.
Advanced workshops with Japanese institutions, private sector leaders, and experts.
Focus on post-disaster management, resilience building, leadership, and community recovery.
Group presentation required.
📃 Certificate: Participants completing all requirements of each phase will receive a UNITAR certificate of completion.
🎁 Programme Benefits
Tuition-Free: Fully funded by the Government of Japan.
Expert-Led Learning: Training from leading disaster risk reduction and resilience specialists.
Networking Opportunities: Engagement with international peers, Japanese institutions, and women leaders.
Practical Application: Development of tailored, inclusive DRR plans.
Career & Leadership Growth: Skills in gender-sensitive leadership, climate resilience, and community disaster preparedness.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be 18 years or older.
Live in or come from a Pacific Island country/territory or the Asia-Pacific region (priority).
Be proficient in English.
Have access to stable internet and be computer literate.
Commit 1–3 hours per week for 10 weeks during Phase I.
Demonstrate interest in DRR, climate resilience, and leadership.
Show motivation to positively impact their community.
⭐ Priority: Women applicants and geographical balance within Pacific Islands and Asia.
Application Procedure
Complete the Online Application Form via UNITAR Application Link.
Deadline: 3 September 2025 (11:59 p.m. JST [UTC+9]).
Required documents/information:
Personal information (name, age, country, background).
Statement of motivation.
Confirmation of eligibility (English proficiency, internet access, commitment to participation).
📨 Contact for Queries:
Richard Crichton – Regional Training and Development Office (richard.crichton@unitar.org)
Junko Shimazu – Programme Officer and Team Leader (junko.shimazu@unitar.org)
📂 Resources
💡 Why Apply?
Disasters disproportionately impact women, children, and marginalized groups. By equipping women with inclusive leadership and disaster risk reduction skills, this UNITAR programme not only builds personal capacity but strengthens community resilience. Participants will leave with lifelong tools, networks, and strategies to safeguard lives and promote sustainable, gender-sensitive recovery.
Apply today and join UNITAR’s mission in shaping a safer, inclusive, and resilient world.
