ASEAN Defense Ministers Spouse Program Presentation
04.02.2014
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, April 2, 2014 – Dr. Pamela Milligan, director of the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, delivered a presentation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers Spouse Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration building on Ford Island April 2.
The presentation focused on the impact of disasters on women including disaster preparedness, response and resiliency. Dr. Milligan emphasized that as leaders in their communities, the wives are in a position to empower women to "help in developing the confidence and skills in women to withstand the impact of disasters and to rise up and take a valuable role in disaster prevention, response and recovery."
"Although they may not know it or characterize it as such, women are already in the business of disaster preparedness as they protect the vulnerable, manage households, participate and provide the social fabric in their communities," said Dr. Milligan. "They have a significant role in developing resiliency."
In attendance was Lilibet Hagel, wife of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and the 10 ASEAN spouses. The defense ministers were in Honolulu to attend the first U.S.-ASEAN Defense Forum, hosted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
