Abstract: The strategic role and responsibility of local government in protecting the community from vulnerability and in reducing disaster impacts have been increasingly acknowledged in disaster policy in Indonesia. This study explores factors contributed to the ignorance of gender mainstreaming in North Sumatra province. It focuses on the capability of local government in integrating gender in disaster management. This study is based on qualitative research design. Review of policies on disaster management is aimed to identify whether the policies have integrated gender or not. Field study is aimed to assess the implementation of disaster management policies, identify the obstacles from gender perspective, the reasons for gender integration and policy impact on social and economic aspects. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis in particular to explore how local government response to disaster. The findings demonstrate the role and capability of local government in integrating gender in disaster management is still limited due to the lack of knowledge on gender and gender mainstreaming in disaster, lack of commitment, the lack of sex disaggregated data and lack of coordination with women’s empowerment and gender equity local institutions. This study recommends the enforcement of the establishment of gender focal point within disaster management and capacity building of knowledge toward commitment is of great significant in enhancing local government capability in integrating gender in disaster management.