E/2014/27 E/CN.6/2014/15 2. Also recognizes that natural disasters and the ability to recover from them can affect men and women differently, and that a gender-responsive approach, including gender-sensitive needs assessments, during post-disaster recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, has the potential to address underlying social issues that create vulnerability to disasters and prolong the time needed for economic and social reintegration and productivity; 3. Further recognizes that, in addition to focusing on physical infrastructure during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, social and economic transformation in the areas of housing, income generation and agriculture and the informal sector, and health care, including psychosocial counselling, should also be taken into consideration in order to adequately address gender priorities; 4. Urges Governments and, where appropriate, United Nations entities, civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and other stakeholders: (a) To review national policies, strategies and plans and take action to integrate a gender perspective in policies, planning and funding for disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, considering the different impacts that natural disasters have on women and men; (b) To facilitate and increase women’s access to information and education, including in the area of science and technology, including information and communications technology, and economics, thus enhancing their knowledge, skills and opportunities for participation and leadership in environmental decisions, including during natural disasters; (c) To ensure equal opportunities for the leadership and participation of women and, as appropriate, girls, in decision-making, including with regard to the allocation of resources at all levels regarding disaster risk reduction, response and recovery; (d) To strengthen the capacities, awareness and cooperation of relevant authorities and institutions at all levels to apply a gender-responsive approach to disaster risk reduction, response and recovery; (e) To ensure the full enjoyment by women and girls of all human rights in every phase of disaster risk reduction, response and recovery; (f) To make the utmost efforts to secure equal access to disaster relief assistance for women, girls, boys and men, and provide disaster response and support for recovery and development that is fully responsive to the needs and respects the views and enjoyment of all human rights of women and girls, with special attention paid to the needs of pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, families with infants or older persons, single-headed households and persons with disabilities and widows, such as in the context of the provision of food and supplies, water and sanitation, the set-up and management of shelter, safety and security, and the provision of physical, psychological and emergency health care, including for sexual and reproductive health, and counselling services for survivors of gender-based violence, while encouraging the involvement of women professionals and gender balance among field workers; 14-02869 37/95