MANSEHRA, Oct 7: The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) has introduced a gender policy in the earthquake affected areas of the NWFP and Azad Kashmir where 26 per cent women are heading the surviving families after the calamity struck two years ago, Dawn has learnt.

The authority has detected broad spectrum gender discrimination in its rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the affected areas.

Following the Oct 8, 2005, tragedy, women’s responsibilities grew manifold after they lost male members and breadwinners of their families.

According to a recently updated data of those eligible for livelihood cash grant, over 26 per cent of households were being headed by women in the affected districts of the NWFP and AJK.

The gender policy, a copy of which available with this correspondent, recommends that Erra’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts will be successful if economic and social opportunities it offered to the survivors cover the needs of women equally.

The policy, which has been developed in consultation with the ministry of women development, governments of the NWFP and AJK, partner organisations, national and international NGOs, local communities and United Nations’ human charter, ensures that sector wise strategies, programmes implementation, monitoring and evaluation take into account the gender consideration, thereby increasing the likelihood.

It also recommends that benefits of reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts must reach all vulnerable groups equally.