Women-Led Disaster Mapping in SIDS

Our latest initiative, Catalyzing Women in Disaster Response, has enabled over 100 women across the Caribbean with open mapping and geospatial technology skills to strengthen disaster resilience in small island developing states (SIDS). Led by the Open Mapping Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean, this peer-to-peer exchange brought together women leaders from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Guyana, and Haiti. Through storytelling, skill-building workshops, and collaborative networks, participants shared experiences and strategies to address disaster preparedness and community resilience.

The initiative has highlighted successful women-led mapping efforts:

• Trinidad and Tobago: In flood-prone regions, 30 students—most of them young women—were trained in GIS, equipping them with essential skills for disaster preparedness.
• Saint Lucia: 10 women participated in field mapping projects, contributing to local disaster risk reduction efforts through the Youth Emergency Action Committee (YEAC).
• Haiti: A two-month GIS program enrolled 25 women, who are now preparing grant proposals to support future community mapping initiatives.
• Guyana and Jamaica: With support from EduTechAid, 30 women mapped 818 OSM features in Guyana and 243 features in Jamaica, with plans for ongoing mentorship and advocacy.

This project promotes inclusivity by bridging gender gaps, encouraging women’s participation in leadership roles, and engaging youth in geospatial technology. Participants have emphasized the transformative impact of mapping on their communities—addressing specific local challenges while improving disaster response capacity.

What’s Next?
With $45,000 in grants distributed to six local organizations, this initiative has laid a strong foundation for sustained community-led mapping efforts. The next phase will focus on establishing additional youth mapper chapters and building more local mapping groups to further expand the open-source community in the Caribbean.

Thank you for supporting initiatives that foster resilience and create positive socio-economic change! Your continued partnership helps us build stronger, safer communities across the Caribbean. Together, we map for good.

Links:

• Catalyzing Women in Disaster Response through Open Mapping