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~1 year after 3.11~
Situation of Rural Women
affected by the Great Japan Earthquake
and Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Speaker : Ms. Chiaki Tomitsuka and Ms. Yoshiko Fukagawa from Fukushima Ms. Kazuko Ito ( Human Rights Now ) Ms. Yoiko Ando( Japan Federation of Bar Associations ) Ms. Kate Burns (OIC for Policy Development and Studies Branch, Senior Policy Officer – Gender Equality Policy Development and Studies Branch, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs )
Venue : 2nd Floor, UN Church Center Building
Time : 2:30pm to 4:00pm on 7th March 2012 (Wed) |
On March 11th, 2011, the earthquake and tsunami, which hit North Eastern Japan, caused tremendous damage and resulted in numerous deaths. Furthermore, residents in broader areas of Eastern Japan have been seriously affected by the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. To date, living condition of affected people are quite poor and protection of fundamental human rights of affected people are not fully guaranteed. After the nuclear disaster, considerable amounts of radioactive material was released across widespread areas of North East Japan, most of which are rural areas, and this creates serious risks to the health of the population.
Lack of protective measure such as support for evacuation and reparation for the people living in contaminated areas, free and timely medical checks, provision of food and water by the government, causes serious risk to people’s right to life, right to health, and right to a livelihood. In particular expectant mothers, infants, and children are the most vulnerable to harm from radiation.
This session will present the situation of rural women affected by the disaster, and discuss challenges including protection of affected women and their families from the ongoing nuclear crisis.
Sponsored by Human Rights Now & Japan Federation of Bar Associations