UNISA Yogyakarta Holds International Conference, Highlighting the Role of Women and Families in Disaster Management

Universitas `Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta successfully hosted the 2025 International Conference online via the Zoom platform on Saturday, July 26, 2025. This global-scale conference carried the visionary theme: “Wofdic and Interferon: The 2nd International Conference on Women, Family, and Disaster Studies and the 1st International Conference on Nursing Anesthesiology – Empowering Women and Families: Building Environmental Resilience in the Face of Disasters.” The event served as a strategic platform to discuss the crucial role of women and families in disaster mitigation and response, while also introducing the perspective of anesthesiology.

The international conference featured four competent speakers from various parts of the world. They are Joshua Vidal, MSSc., MAEG., EM, LPT from Manila University, Philippines; Dr. Przemysław Żuratyński from Nicolaus Copernicus University; Wantonoro, Ph.D. from UNISA Yogyakarta itself; and Dr. Raditya Jati, S.SI., M.SI from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The presence of these experts enriches the discussion and provides a multisectoral perspective.

Dr. M. Ali Imron, M.Fis, as Vice Rector IV of UNISA Yogyakarta, in his opening remarks stated that disaster studies have become an integral part of almost all programs at UNISA Yogyakarta, even since the campus was still known as STIKES `Aisyiyah Yogyakarta.

“Disaster-related issues are not just a single discipline, but an interdisciplinary field,” said Imron.

Recognizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, UNISA Yogyakarta established a special institution in 2016 called the Center for Women, Family, and Disaster Studies (PSPKB).

Imron added that the establishment of PSPKB aims primarily to enhance capabilities, prepare for learning, build networks, and develop guidelines that can be utilized by communities when disasters occur. The 2025 International Conference itself was attended by 130 participants from various regions in Indonesia, indicating the high level of interest in disaster-related issues and the central role of women within them.