The 9th international conference with the global network of WHO collaboration centers for nursing and midwifery

(1)

Yukari Igarashi

St. Luke’s College of Nursing

E-mail : yukari@slcn.ac.jp

http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/artemis/staff/igarashi.html

Acknowledgment :

This project is collaborated with Japan Association for Refugee (JAR). http://www.refugee.or.jp/en

　 This project is funded by Japan platform (JPF).

http://www.japanplatform.org/E/index.html

　 PURPOSE

Survey actions needed for women’s protection in the stricken disaster area.　

METHOD

Field survey began 1st_{of April, 2011 . We investigated over 25 shelters, interviewed} women, and attended healthcare coordination meetings to survey needs.

RESULT

Problems identified were: 1) difficulty maintain proper hygiene, 2) lack of information about menstruation, menopause and incontinence, 3) relief supplies did not match women’s needs and 4) sexual violence. 　

We made some informational pamphlets and a woman’s supply kit called

ONNA-NO-NATTEMO- FUKURO

(a kit for women’s needs). This name was from the local dialect of Iwate the geographical stricken area. It is included: disposable bidet, sanitary napkins, toilet lotion, lip cream, and cosmetic parch . There were also pamphlets, a card for free phone consultation and a whistle for women’s protection in the bag. We met women from about 90 shelters and temporary housing districts. We delivered about 6,700 bagsfor women and 300 bags for school children. We also gave women’s health information and provided health consultations.

Women became aware they needed to protect themselves, and also that the goods were a public favor. In particular, teaching them how to keep their external genitalia clean and exercises for stopping incontinence attracted women, because no one had focused on these topics.

We constituted an outreach action for 14 months; thereafter salons continue our actions.

CONCLUSION

　

Women were not a high priority to receive support after the disaster, however they are vulnerable. We recommend that agencies and others focus on 　 women and provide sensitive supportive action.

Toilets

Women’s supply kits

(called ONNA-NO-NATTEMO- FUKURO)

Exercises for stopping incontinence

For school children

Damage situation of Rikuzentaka-shi

Before

Earthquake Population 24,246 (28/02/2011) After

Earthquake Number of deaths 1,555 　(06/06/2012) Number of missing 228 Collapsed houses 3,845