Japan will submit a draft resolution to the United Nations calling for protection of women in the event of major disasters.

Japanese Ambassador to the UN Tsuneo Nishida announced the plan to reporters on Friday. He said the decision takes into account that his country will soon mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that hit northeast Japan.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women will begin discussions on February 27th to review challenges facing women's empowerment.

Japan's draft resolution emphasizes the importance of protecting women in disasters, saying they could be victimized.

It also calls for utilizing women's knowledge in drawing up plans to prepare for disasters and sharing lessons learned from disasters with other countries, especially those with weak social infrastructure.

Ambassador Nishida said Japan is already in talks on the issue with other countries.

He added that it is meaningful to have an international discussion on women's role in the event of disasters and reconstruction using Japan's experience last year.

News credit: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120218_12.html

Image credit: http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2011/03/full/so110301pm4.jpg