EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The “Proactive Resilience and Opportunities for Gender Equity in Security & Sustainability (PROGRESS)” report, prepared by Pacific Forum International for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Office of Women, Peace & Security, addresses the critical intersection of gender, health security, and climate change in the Asia-Pacific. The PROGRESS Index and report underscore the vital role gender plays in health security amid climate change, highlighting how women and marginalized groups often face disproportionate vulnerabilities during health crises and climate disasters due to existing inequalities. The integration of gender perspectives is essential to address these disparities and enhance the effectiveness of health security measures. The report calls for increased women’s participation in defense and security humanitarian aid and disaster response (HA/DR), as well as improved access to resources and training, and a deeper understanding of international humanitarian and human rights laws to promote gender equity in disaster management.
