Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation

The Women’s Leadership Fund for Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake Project Report 2012-2016

CONTENTS
Preface1

History of the Norway Fund Project2

What is the Norway Fund Project?

3

1. Exchange and invitation program

4

2. Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

9

3. Lectures and events

14

4. Network of gender equality centers

15

Future Prospects

16*The titles and positions of the people and the names of organizations, etc., are as of that time.

Preface

Since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, thegovernment of Norway has supported the restoration and recovery of the affectedarea in diverse fields as “Team Norway.”
As for the implementation of this “Women’s Leadership Fund for Recovery
from the Great East Japan Earthquake (Norway Fund),” the staff of our Foundation
deepened their thoughts through what they learned from Norwegian society andthe experiences of the affected people, and tried many new approaches with thegenerous support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Within the 5-year period of
this project, there were many projects not only limited to Sendai or Japan, but that
Reduction.
Even after the completion of this fund project, Sendai City and our foundation
will continue working on programs on female empowerment and communication
with local citizens, etc. Once again I would like to express my gratitude to thegovernment of Norway for offering such support that has a large and lasting
influence.
Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation

Yaeko Kisu
Chairperson

Overview of the Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation

http://www.sendai-l.jp

Utilizing “specialty” and “locality.”
Established in 2001 as an organization involved in the promotion of gender equality, and as the main
administration of the Sendai City Gender Equality Promotion Center (L-Park Sendai and L-Sola Sendai),this foundation is working on various projects toward the early realization of “Gender Equal City of Sendai”
in cooperation with civic groups and related organizations.

Major projects

・ Comprehensive and practical research・ Publishing of publicity papers
・ Dispatch of lecturers to companies and schools, etc.
・ Organizing lectures and events toward female empowerment and solving local issues
・ Support for civic activities and the promotion of information exchanges
・ Cooperative projects with various organizations
・ Management of L-Park Sendai and L-Sola Sendai
・ Mother and Child Family Consultation Assistance Center projectPrefacealso spread worldwide through the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk

1

History of the Norway Fund ProjectMay 1999

The beginning of cultural exchanges between Norway and Sendai

Female volunteers in the city invited Ms. Kristin Halvorsen (a member of the Diet in Norway) and organized a
symposium about women’s participation in politics.

2000

Civic group “STUDY NORWAY” started

Inspection tour in Norway with aid from Sendai City. Published the report “Equality beyond ‘Equality’.” (Another visit
was made in 2012)

April 2001

Establishment of the Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation

As an organization involved in the promotion of gender equality, the Foundation carries out both tangible andintangible measures to achieve a gender-equal society in Sendai City.

March 2004
History of the Norway Fund Project2

Publishing of translation of “Women can do it!”

“STUDY NORWAY” published a translation of the training book published by the Norwegian Labour Party Women withaid from our Foundation. Speech training, etc., started to be organized by utilizing this book.

October 2004

Inspection visit in Scandinavia

Under the theme of support for balancing work and family, the Foundation visited
Norway and Finland with civic inspectors.

2005

Commitment of the “Speech Table of Ms. Gro”

Women in Sendai raised contributions and made a replica of the Speech Table(owned by the National Women’s Museum of Norway) using the silhouette of Ms. Gro
Harlem Brundtland, the first female prime minister of Norway, as a motif. It was given
to the Foundation and placed in L-Park Sendai.

March 2011

Occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake

July 2011

Mr. Arne Walther (Ambassador of Norway to Japan at that time) visited Sendai

He exchanged opinions with Ms. Emiko Okuyama (Mayor of Sendai) regarding the importance of the development offemale leaders for restoration and recovery from the disaster.
In the same month, two sequential terrorist attacks occurred in Norway.

May 2012

Expression of willingness toward support for developing female leaders

Mr. Trond Giske (Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway at that time) and Mr. Arne Walther visited Sendai. They
expressed their willingness to provide support in which women can demonstrate leadership as reconstruction support
from Norway.

October 2012

Japan Women’s Conference in Sendai 2012

A video message from Ms. Gro Harlem Brundtland (former Prime Minister) cheered up Japanese women,
especially those in the devastated area. Furthermore, Ms. Anette Trettebergstuen (a young Diet member) gave akeynote speech and cheered on women playing important roles in the reconstruction.

November 2012 Reached the cooperative agreement“Women’s Leadership Fund for Recovery
from the Great East Japan Earthquake”
A fund was set up with funding from Norway.

What isthe Norway Fund Project?

Exchange
and invitation program
Becoming inspiredby female leaders in Norway

Cooperation among the centers
all over Japan

Research and developmentof female leadershipand program implementation
Realizing the possibilities
and taking a step forward

Lecturesand events
A wider understandingof gender equality

Aiming for the developmentof female leadership
The Norway Fund was established in November 2012 with the supportof the government of Norway and with the aim of encouraging women to
demonstrate leadership in the reconstruction of the local community after
the catastrophic damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Basedon an agreement among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sendai City, and
our Foundation, which was in charge of implementation, the project was
set up along with the four important components listed above, such as
development of female leadership in the community and companies andbuilding a nationwide network, etc.

The Women’s Leadership Fund for Recovery
from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Amount of funding:
1,500,000 NOK (Approximately 20,000,000 JPY)
Project period:
November 2012 to September 2016

What is the Norway Fund Project?

Networkof Gender Equality Centers

3

Exchange
and invitation program
Becoming inspired by female leaders in Norway

Exchange and invitation program

4

Feel Norway’s air and strengthen cultural exchanges
with Norwegian female leaders
Three inspection tours were organized for learning the structure of Norwegian Sociaty, which is one of themost gender equal countries in the world, and for strengthening cultural exchanges with local female leaders.
In addition, based on the connections made during the visits, public meetings were held in Sendai with someguests from Norway.

Purposes of the inspection tours
To obtain “realization”
In the 1970s, it was normal in Norwegian society to divide the jobs by gender like Japan as “Work for men, home for women.” Why did thiscountry become one of the best gender equal countries in the world? Learn from local women through cultural exchanges and obtain tips topromote gender equality in Japan.

To spread knowledge about the affected area to the Norwegian people
To let people in Norway know about the current situation of the area damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the activities related
to reconstruction support.

To bring back to JapanTo utilize the results of the tour for the participants’ own activities, as well as to contribute to citizens through a report meeting, etc.

The Norway Fund Project 1 ／ Exchange and invitation program

The theme is the “development of young leaders and cultural exchanges.”
Students who bear the future of the affected area interact with young Norwegians who are very confident andhighly aware of their human rights. They gained knowledge for building the next generation through cultural
exchanges with young people in the same generation and by learning the structure of the society.

Exchange and invitation program

2013
Female university students from the affected area interact
with young people of the same generationand female politicians

5

Purposes of the research(1)Through interaction with young locals, learn awareness and the way
they communicate with society.
(2) To deepen the understanding of Norway’s social structure and its
background, which supports gender equality.

Participants
Six female university students who are participating in reconstruction
support activities or conducting research regarding the promotion ofgender equality.

PeriodSeptember 29 (Sun) to October 6 (Sun), 2013

Main facilities and people visited
Diet member of the Norwegian Labour Party
The participants visited Ms. Anette Trettebergstuen (at the right in the back row)and Ms. Kari Henriksen (on the left). The students learned about the close
distance between the people and politics, and the environment that supports
people to try what they want to do regardless of their age.

The University of Oslo and the Norwegian Universityof Science and Technology (NTNU)
The participants had discussions with local students about the differences
between Japan and Norway, etc., at these two national universities. They were
inspired by the local students’ high level of awareness of issues and theirconcrete actions toward solving problems, as well as by the local students
expressing their opinions confidently.

The Ombudsman for Children
The Ombudsman for Children is the nation’s independent institution established in1981 to protect children’s rights. The students learned about the importance ofdelivering the voices of children to society from Ms. Anne Lindboe the first female
Ombudsman for Children.

Comments
from the participants

I felt they have an environment
where all people can cultivate
their leadership regardless ofgender in Norway, where people
naturally express their opinions
since when they were children.

I understood that the Norwegianpeople aim for equality foreverybody, not just genderequality, as well as the factthat they have a high level ofawareness of human rights.

The Norway Fund Project 1 ／ Exchange and invitation program

Exchange and invitation program

6

2014
Learn the structure of Norwegian society
where women play an active role
The theme is the “development of female leaders and cultural exchanges.”
What is required for women to participate more in the role of decision-making.
Female leaders who play an active role in the community and companies experienced two important
programs with a strong wish to utilize the research results for the community.
Purposes of the research(1)To conduct research on advanced female leader development
programs and to visit related institutions.
(2)To strengthen the leadership of the participants through interactions
with different female leaders.
(3)To utilize what they learn for the reconstruction of the local communityand other various fields.

Participants
Six women demonstrating leadership in their companies or the local
community.

PeriodMay 11 (Sun) to May 19 (Mon), 2014

Main facilities and people visited
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)
The participants took part in a lecture from the director in charge and students regarding an overview
and characteristics of the “Female Future Program,” which is a female
leader development program started by NHO to increase the number offemale executives in companies.

History of the "Female Future Program”
Due to an amendment of the Companies Act in 2003, a quota system,
which obligates the ratio of both females and males to be over 40 percent
in boards of directors, was implemented. Along with this, NHO began the“Female Future Program,” which aims to have more female members inexecutive management. The program contents have been revised every
year to the present.

The Norwegian Labour Party
The participants took part in the training program “Women can do it!” created by the Norwegian Labour
Party Women with the aim of developing female politicians. They recognized the effectiveness of creating a
network and making progress as a whole.

Comments
from the participants

After this visit, I believe more inthat small and medium-sizedcompanies can create a goodorganizational environment
where women can more quickly
take a more active role.

It is easy to face a backlash if
we start with “the viewpoint of
women is important.” I realized
it is more effective to focus on
the current issues and look atthings from various viewpoints
including those of women tosolve the problems.

The theme is the “development of female leaders on reconstruction for the future and cultural exchanges.”
The participants studied city development in which women participate in measures closely related to the daily
lives of people.
They were inspired by the women who use their networks efficiently.
Purposes of the research

7(1)To learn how the viewpoints and sensibilities of women are effectively
used on-site for urban development.
(2)To learn advanced educational structures and environments byvisiting various educational institutions.
(3)To utilize the knowledge gained in Norway for the future developmentof people and cities.

Participants
Six women who are leading post-earthquake reconstruction in theaffected area.

PeriodJanuary 24 (Sun) to January 31 (Sun), 2016

Major facilities and people visited

Comments
from the participants

Urban development in two cities
The participants received lectures on the planning of the development of TromsøCity and Stavanger City, and they visited the sites. They were inspired by thepeople promoting an outdoor and healthy lifestyle of the citizens from theviewpoints of both women and men.

A nursery school and elementary school
They visited a nursery school in Tromsø City and an elementary school in
Stavanger City, and observed the equality in education that values children’s
individuality from childhood, as well as children’s independence developed
through debate classes.

Female network organizations in Norway
The participants had an exchange of opinions with members of Inspira, a
network organization managed by women in various industries in Tromsø City.
They learned about the effectiveness of building a network gathering thestrong features of each member from different backgrounds.

Exchange and invitation program

2016
Bring back the keywords
for reconstruction for the future

I was inspired by the method ofcity development that values
the opinions of minors andchildren conducted in cooperation
between the government andthe people. As an administrative
officer, I would like to aim forbuilding a structure where
citizens can participate inpublic discussions.
I learned about the importanceof building a network, as well as
female participation in decisionmaking. I would like to create
successful cases for womenand extend them throughsystematization.

The Norway Fund Project 1 ／ Exchange and invitation program

With the guests from Norway
April 11 (Fri), 2014

Opinion exchanges between the State Secretary, Ministry of Trade,Industry, and Fisheries of Norway and female leaders from theaffected area
Ms. Dilek Ayhan (State Secretary) and female leaders taking active roles in NPOs orcompanies exchanged opinions regarding the importance of career development
and the promotion of more opportunities for women.

May 20 (Tue), 2014

The Ombudsman for Children in Norway
Opinion exchanges regarding support for children
in the affected area
Exchange and invitation program

8

Participants presented the current situation and issues surrounding children in theaffected area to Ms. Anne Lindboe (The Ombudsman for Children) and Mr. Knut
Haanes (Deputy Ombudsman for Children) and discussed methods of support in
the future.

March 29 (Sun), 2015

Opinion exchanges with NLA(Norwegian Landscape Architects Association)
Members of NLA who are taking part in the design and planning of townscapes andurban development in Norway exchanged opinions with participants interested intown development in terms of respecting the ecology and diversity of town planning.

May 11 (Wed), 2016

A short lecture from Ms. Keiko Moriguchi organized for welcoming
her and her husband to Sendai
We learned about the history of gender equality in Norway and its current situation
seen from the viewpoints of Ms. Keiko Moriguchi, who acted as an interpreter andguide during three inspection tours in Norway, and her husband.

July 11 (Mon), 2016

Work, Family, and Happiness -From a comparison between Norway and JapanWhy is Norway considered to be a country where the individual’s level of well-being is one of the highest in theworld? Ms. Yuko Onozaka (Associate Professor, University of Stavanger) gave a lecture regarding the reasons,the actual situation, and the differences from Japan.

Research and developmentof female leadershipand program implementation
Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

Realizing the possibilities and taking a step forward

9

Create a “female leader” development programthat can be useful in companies
and local communities in the future
Since we recognized the need for female participation in decision-making in companies and local communities
after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we conducted research and program implementation to promote
gender equality in daily life.
Our further approaches include educational program development for women who are in managerial positions
in organizations such as companies that support the local economy, and the development of programs topromote female participation in decision-making in the community.

To pioneer a new era “Development of female leaders” is necessary
Development of female leaders in companies
Ⅰ. Research on FFP (Female Future Program) in Norway,
and development and implementation of a training program

Female leadersin“companies”

Female leadersin“communities”

Based on research on a female executive development program in Norway, a training
program that puts higher importance on leadership and network utilization was developedand implemented for women in managerial positions in companies.

Development of female leaders in communities
Ⅱ. Research on a community leader development program, and development
and implementation of the workshop “Shelters for Everyone”
A workshop on a Disaster Risk Reduction project was developed by listening to opinions
regarding the current situation and needs from women who experienced life in a shelter.
This project was carried out in each area to promote gender equality in local communities.

The Norway Fund Project 2 ／ Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

10

Development of female leaders in companies

Ⅰ.Research on FFP (Female Future Program) in Norway,
and development and implementation of a training program
When we think of a growth strategy of companies that support the local economy, it is essential to create anenvironment where many women build up their strength to participate in decision-making and utilize theirindividuality and ability. Based on FFP in Norway, after conducting interviews and questionnaire surveys, wedeveloped the Sendai Female Leader Training Program on our own terms to train women in the position ofchief and management in companies in Sendai. In addition, we extended this program into the “Company
Future Project,” which includes a set of various contents that support more active roles of women.

Start of the “Company Future Project”
that supports companies that encourage more active participation of women
Packaged various useful programs
Sendai Female Leader Training Program
Dispatch of lecturers for company trainings
Staff members from the Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation are sent tocompany training sessions regarding work-life balance, the prevention of power
Periodharassment and sexual harassment, and those who come back from child-careleave, etc.
Priority for working women to attend seminars
Publishing banners on the website of the Foundation
Various consultation about promoting the active participation of womenSendai Female Leader Training ProgramThis program was developed by us independently, referring to the “Female Future Program” (a training program of the Confederation of
Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) for candidates for corporate executives). Female workers expected to have further success in participatingcompanies attend the program with a recommendation from their company.

Features of this program
Improve from “I understand” to “I can do it”
Raise knowledge and skills required as workers in managerial
positions up to the level where they can utilize it anytime at work by
putting them into practice.

Various local role models among the lecturers
There are many companies that don’t have a role model within
their organization. We provide opportunities to interact with local
lecturers who perform great jobs in higher positions.

Creating a network that is useful even after completing the program
We work on building a network where students from different
backgrounds and different fields improve themselves to achieve
higher goals and support each other, even after the program iscompleted. Such networks can be a great treasure for theparticipating companies.

Report from 2015
Twenty women who are expected to be successful leaders at work took part in the program over approximately six months, for a total of 8days (about 37 hours). During the study and training sessions, they improved their skills as leaders and gained confidence. At the completion
ceremony, the participants gave a progress report in front of their directors and bosses. They talked about the four future goals they learned
from the program, such as (1) Creating an environment where women can be active in their roles, (2) The development of the next generationand subordinates, (3) The image of the ideal leader and career vision, and (4) Constructing a female network in various industries.

Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

Develop women who play an active role in managerial positions
A program made aiming for each woman to be able to show theirabilities fully and take an active role in management in companies
in the future.

11

Comments from the participants
From the women who took part in the program
There were many keywords that left a strong impression such as “Your viewpoints will change in a different stage” and “the weight of responsibility
and burden is different.” I would like to remember these words when I’m troubled in building my career in the future.
It was such a valuable experience to be able to interact with women from different environments with various different purposes.
It was meaningful training. I could look inside myself deeply.

From the participating companies
We believe the perspectives of women will be very useful for the growth of the company from the network of female workers from other participatingcompanies. (Construction industry)I think she began to demonstrate leadership naturally by improving her initiative and communication skills due to the amazing lecturers, and will havea positive influence on other workers. (Finance and insurance industry)
Honestly, I’m glad that I recommend that she participate in the program. They looked confident at the completion ceremony, and I felt that their eyes
were shining brighter. (Broadcasting industry)

Extended network of the participants
The “Sendai Female Leader Training Program” gathered together women
expected to be the next generation of female leaders from various
companies, and its effect is extending to the establishment of the “Sendai
Flower Gathering (Sendai Hana no Kai),” which is a network of different
industries made by the people who completed the program, etc.

The Norway Fund Project 2 ／ Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

12

Development of female leaders in communities

Ⅱ.Research on a community leader development program,and development and implementationof the workshop “Shelters for Everyone”
The realization of gender equality in local communities means that new female leaders arise from the women
living in these communities.
How can local women connect to each other and be articulate? To educate female leaders in the local
communities, we put importance on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and developed a workshop program to be
an opportunity to influence the communities.

Promote the leadership of local women from the DRR workshop(1) “Local Disaster Preparedness Workshop from the Perspectives of Women”
To cultivate the facilitators of the DRR workshops, the participants learn basic
knowledge such as respect for diversity in shelters, etc.

(2) Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction Project Team(3) Sendai Workshop on DRR “Shelters for Everyone”
The project team created the program of the workshop based on their own
experiences and interviews with women who experienced difficulties in the shelters.

(4) Implementing the workshop and publishing textbooks
The workshops were held in various areas, and offered an opportunity for men andwomen to have a discussion on an equal basis. For everyone to be able to organize
a workshop, we also published textbooks including scenarios with illustrations.

Sendai Workshop on DRR “Shelters for Everyone”
Features(1) Through experiences such as “I could express myself, it was fun,” discussions within thecommunity will be encouraged.
(2) Possible to easily experience being a facilitator, which will enhance female leadership.
(3) Prompt all the participants to express themselves openly by creating a relaxed environment.
(4) The textbooks are on sale nationwide and they can be customized freely.
Workshops in English
In March 2015, the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Sendai.
The English-version was distributed to participants, etc., from abroad at the venue of the Public
Forum of the conference.
Performance
A total of 37 workshops were organized in the period between October 2013 and August 2016,
in which a total of 849 people participated.

Research and development of female leadership and program implementation

The team is organized with members who completed the “Local Disaster Preparedness
Workshop from the Perspectives of Women” and the staff of the Foundation.

13

Lectures and events
A wider understandingof gender equality.

Lectures and events

14

Let Norway be better known by the citizens:
As an opportunity to think about what gender equality is
Lectures and events were held to introduce the wisdom of Norway, which realized a gender equal society.
Many citizens took part in the events and deepened their understanding about Norway and the importance ofgender equality.
For the students who create the future A message from Norway
May 30 (Thu), 2013
For the visit of Ms. Ragnhild Setsaas (State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Research of
Norway) in Sendai, a discussion event regarding education in Norway, which is one of the best
gender equality countries in the world, was organized in cooperation with the Office for Woman
Researchers, Tohoku University. Three female students from universities in Sendai took part in
the platform together.

A discussion session encouraging greater male participation in child rearing
I want to make my family happy! Fathers meeting
December 15 (Sun), 2013
How can we create a society like Norway’s, where fathers take care of children normally? We
had a discussion session among 5 fathers including 1 Norwegian father.

Making a flower coaster with Arne & Carlos
May 5 (Mon), 2014
With the opportunity of the visit of Arne & Carlos, a popular knitting designer duo from Norway
who have been supporting reconstruction since the Great East Japan Earthquake, a knitting
workshop was held at two sites in the central and coastal area of Sendai City. A tapestry madefrom the artworks of women from the coastal area was exhibited at the Thematic Pavilion: Genderand Disaster Risk Reduction in the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Norway Night
December 10 (Wed), 2014
An event to introduce the attractions of Norway. With a book “Norwegian Tragedy,” the themeof which is the terrorist attack that occurred in 2011, those who are trying to create a moregenerous society by overcoming the incident were introduced in the first half of the night. In
the second half, the participants enjoyed the night interacting with the other participants whileeating Norwegian food.

Cooperation among centers all over Japan

Visualize the role and the meaning of gender equality centers
Support each other through the power of a network
By utilizing the experience of the disaster, we highlighted the role of gender equality centers for DRR andreconstruction.
“Gender equality center: National campaign for DRR & reconstruction” conducted in cooperation with the
National Council of Women’s Centers led to the construction of the “Gender equality center mutual support
system for times of large-scale disasters.”
Gender equality center: National campaign for DRR & reconstruction
This campaign was organized to build up a network that enables gender equality centers spreadnationwide to support each other at times of large-scale disasters. We highlighted the necessity ofmaking daily efforts to consider the viewpoint of gender equality in DRR and reconstruction, as well as
the importance of gender equality centers that utilize their specialties to provide support with theunderstanding of the needs of women and various victims using posters, etc.

Build up mutual support system
We participated in the process of building up themutual support system for times of large-scaledisasters with the National Council of Women’s Centers
as the main implementer. The system uses groupware
over the internet for each center to be able to share
information. The action plan of the system wasintroduced at the Third UN World Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction.

Cooperation with three gender equality centers in the affected prefectureWith the aim of continuing to spread information from gender equality centers in the 3 prefectures of
Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima, where the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake wassignificant, by cooperating with each other, reconstruction promotion meetings were held by thesecenters every year since 2012. An exhibition and event was co-hosted by these centers at the Third
UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Network of gender equality centers

Networkof gender equality centers

15

Future Prospects
Our Foundation has worked on various issues under the theme of “developmentof female leadership” intensively in various ways through this fund project, andfortunately we have achieved beneficial results in general. We recognize thenecessity to continue our stable efforts in the future.
The “Company Future Project” including the “Sendai Female Leader Training
Program” will be continued as a joint project of Sendai City and our Foundation.
We also hope that an environment where women can show their leadership in theeconomic world in Sendai and the Tohoku area will be realized by extending the
network of the women who participated in the training program.
By utilizing the basic idea of the “Sendai Female Leader Training Program,”
Sendai City and our Foundation have begun a training program called “Women
Future Prospects

16

and disaster-resilient city, Decide and Act” in 2016, to develop female leaders in
the local community. In the first semester, 26 people who are taking part inneighborhood associations, NPOs, civic groups, etc., participated in the
program. In addition, to create an environment where women can demonstrate
their leadership in the community, we will contribute to the promotion of genderequality in the local community by organizing “Community Workshop on Disaster
Risk Reduction” in neighborhood associations, etc.
The connection with disaster victims in the coastal area in Sendai City andgender equality centers all over Japan bore fruits such as realizing the exhibitionat the Thematic Pavilion: Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Third UN
World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. Furthermore, the mutual support
system for times of large-scale disasters established by the National Council of
Women’s Centers was well utilized as a tool for exchanging information at thetime of the Kumamoto Earthquakes in 2016, as well. We will do our best to send
information from the affected area and will continue to link this experience in the
future.
Upon the further promotion of gender equality, we would like to maintain our
relationship with Norway, a developed country of gender equality, and continue
to offer the latest information. We would like to show our gratitude once more to
Norway for giving us an opportunity to participate in this fund project before
closing this report.
September 2016
Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation

The Women’s Leadership Fund for Recovery
from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Project Report
2012-2016

Published by Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation
Edited by Sanaburi Foundation
Published in September 2016
Sendai Gender Equal Opportunity Foundation
29F AER Building
1-3-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai City
980-6128
TEL +81-22-212-1627 FAX +81-22-212-1628