yukari igarashi st. luke’s college of nursing e-mail : yukari@slcn.ac.jp

Yukari IgarashiSt. 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

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

　 METHODField survey began 1st of April, 2011 . We investigated over 25 shelters, interviewed women, and attended healthcare coordination meetings to survey needs.

　　 RESULTProblems 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 bags for 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-shiBeforeEarthquake

Population 24,246 (28/02/2011)

AfterEarthquake

Number of deaths 1,555 　(06/06/2012)

Number of missing 228Collapsed houses 3,845Flooded area 86% of the city

areaShelters Temporary

housings

Health consultation

Giving women’s health information

How to use a bidet