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Benefits of Comprehensive Integration of Women’s Perspectives into Disaster Response Frameworks

Driven by the accelerating climate crisis, disasters are no longer purely sudden or uncontrollable events; they are increasingly predictable, with floods, heatwaves, and storms striking more frequently. 


What remains uncertain is the extent of their destruction and loss, which continues to cause serious harm to the environment, property, and human health. People are affected by disasters in different ways depending on their socioeconomic situation, gender, age, and ethnicity. Certain groups of people are acknowledged to be more vulnerable and face disproportionate risks and harms than others because of disparities in economic status, social marginalization, and ability to cope with hazards. 


Poverty, caste and ethnic prejudice, limited access to education and resources, gender inequality, and geographical location all have a significant impact on vulnerability in the context of Nepal. People from low economic backgrounds frequently lack proper housing, finances, and access to information, limiting their capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters. Social marginalization due to caste or ethnicity further restricts access to government help and disaster relief services. Women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities face additional risks due to limited mobility, caregiving duties, and social discrimination. Regions with higher poverty rates, such as Karnali and other far western regions, have higher social vulnerability measures, indicating the concentration of at-risk populations. Women encounter particular difficulties both during and after disasters because of societal and traditional cultural norms for gender roles (Koussayer, 2023).


In national discussions on natural disaster management and more general discussions about climate action and nature, countries and governments frequently ignore women and their unique needs, which makes it difficult to effectively address natural disasters. It is essential to integrate the perspectives of women into disaster response frameworks as it improves disaster management effectiveness, equity, and resilience. An inclusive approach involves engaging women in planning and decision-making, delivering gender-sensitive relief and recovery services, developing women's leadership and capability, and tracking gender-disaggregated data to guide policies. By considering women's perspectives at all stages of preparedness, response, and recovery, disaster management becomes more responsive to different community needs, develops social resilience, and minimizes vulnerabilities, ultimately benefiting entire communities. 


There are various policies regarding gender inclusive disaster response; however, there is a gap in its implementation.


The disparity between gender-inclusive policies and their implementation in Nepali disaster management is caused by several interrelated variables. Although Nepal has made significant progress in developing gender-responsive disaster risk management (DRM) policies, such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act 2074 and the National Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2018, major challenges remain in localizing and implementing these frameworks (Gurung and Pandey, 2021). One major difficulty is that local DRM policies frequently treat women and disadvantaged groups as victims rather than active agents of change, limiting their meaningful involvement in decision-making processes. This leads to policies and strategies that do not effectively meet the special needs and objectives of women and other vulnerable groups. Additional barriers include insufficient capacity and motivation at the local governance level to implement inclusive DRM techniques, limited access to disaster risk information for women representatives, and a lack of gender-sensitive budget allocation and resources. 


Social and cultural impediments also restrict women's leadership responsibilities, with many female delegates encountering personal and societal obstacles that prevent them from actively participating. Furthermore, marginalized groups such as those with disabilities, LGBTQI people, and sex workers frequently face exclusion and discrimination during disaster response and recovery, indicating gaps in inclusive policy implementation. Operational issues such as poor agency coordination, a lack of disaggregated data on vulnerable groups, and insufficient gender-responsive training for officials aggravate the policy-practice divide. The system's emphasis on reactive, post-disaster management rather than proactive and inclusive preparedness further impedes truly sustainable and equitable growth. Addressing these gaps necessitates comprehensive methods that strengthen competence, promote equitable representation, ensure timely and accessible information, and appropriate adequate budgetary support for gender and socioeconomic inclusion in DRM.


In the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, women accounted for 55 percent (4,497) of the total 8,193 casualties, indicating higher female mortality compared to men. (The Aftermath of an Earthquake in Nepal, 2019) Similarly, the earthquakes that struck Jajarkot and the surrounding areas in November 2023 and early 2024 clearly showed a disproportionate female mortality and vulnerability signal: According to UNICEF's situation assessment, 154 people died in the Jajarkot earthquakes, 84 of whom were women (81 of the total deaths were children, including 37 girls). This indicates that more women than men suffered casualties in that incident. During the September 2024 floods in Nepal, humanitarian updates stated that a substantial number of women and adolescent girls had been affected, as well as distinct gendered risks.


According to a UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) flash update, 14,415 adolescent girls were among the 90,090 persons affected by floods and landslides, and the report highlighted menstrual hygiene and increased protection threats for girls and women. (UNFPA, 2024).These data show that women are particularly vulnerable to disasters because of pre-existing gender inequities, economic disadvantages, and culturally ingrained roles that enhance vulnerability and hinder resilience. Women frequently have limited access to resources like education, early warning systems, and healthcare, limiting their ability to plan for and respond to disasters. Their typical caregiving tasks might delay evacuation and increase their risk of harm. Despite the fact that women make up 54 percent of the population, almost 80 percent of those left behind during the Hurricane Katrina evacuation in New Orleans were women (Women and Girls in Disasters - Center for Disaster Philanthropy, 2022).


Furthermore, vulnerability is exacerbated by socioeconomic status, particularly for women in low-income or marginalized groups, as well as physical and social constraints during disasters, such as a lack of safe shelter or limited mobility. Women are also more vulnerable to post-disaster emotional distress and may face heightened risks of gender-based violence during and after disasters. Women are more vulnerable to extreme events due to gender differences in decision-making authority, cultural norms, and resource access, which raises mortality rates and lowers productivity. Among women, specific categories experience heightened vulnerabilities during disasters, with pregnant women and young girls of reproductive age being particularly at risk (Thapa & Pathranarakul, 2018). Other factors also heighten the vulnerability of certain groups of women. For instance, an elderly woman belonging to an ethnic minority group and residing in a disaster-prone area faces multiple layers of vulnerability and risks. These intersecting vulnerabilities highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive disaster planning and targeted interventions that address the specific needs of women across different social and demographic groups.


Despite the crucial role of women in disaster response, planning, and preparedness, many societies and countries fail to integrate female and gender-expansive perspectives in disaster response due to the deeply rooted structural inequalities. Women’s access to influence policy, healthcare, education, and land ownership is restricted in many nations. When resources become limited and survival becomes the primary concern during times of crisis, these disparities are frequently made worse. Women’s freedom and involvement in communal decision-making may be limited by traditional gender norms, particularly in patriarchal environments. Furthermore, most crisis management frameworks are created by male-dominated organizations with minimal input from women or community-based organizations. Therefore, women’s lived experiences, including their health requirements, safety concerns, and caring responsibilities, are frequently ignored or misinterpreted (Mendis et al., 2023).


When disaster frameworks exclude the perspectives of women, they frequently reinforce already-existing disparities. The unique needs of women, including reproductive health, protection from assault, and caregiver responsibilities, are often overlooked when they are not included in planning, decision-making, and resource allocation. Maternal health and menstrual hygiene may not be taken into account in relief items. The absence of privacy and security in temporary shelters raises the possibility of gender-based violence. As caretakers for children, the elderly, and sick people, women’s emotional burden is sometimes overlooked, which can result in trauma and burnout (Hemachandra et al., 2018). This not only makes the disaster's effects on their lives more severe, but it also makes recovery less effective. In contrast, responses that incorporate women’s perspectives are more inclusive, practical, and long-lasting. They offer useful insights that are sometimes overlooked in top-down crisis management approaches because of their in-depth understanding of family, neighborhood, and community dynamics. 


To view women solely as vulnerable is to ignore their knowledge, resilience, and contributions to society. In both formal and informal settings, women are leaders, caregivers, community organizers, and knowledge holders. In today’s context, women contribute to all three major roles: productive (income-generating), reproductive (care-giving), and community management. They have a dual status, being disproportionately impacted and in a unique position to help in recovery (Koussayer, 2023). 


Women play an important role in disaster planning and preparedness because women often have detailed knowledge of local communities, household requirements, and social networks that can help build resilience. Their engagement ensures that disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives are inclusive, context-sensitive, and address gender-specific vulnerabilities, such as access to water, sanitation, healthcare, and gender-based violence prevention. Women's participation in preparedness initiatives such as risk mapping, early warning systems, evacuation planning, and community exercises ensures that plans are practical and complete. Furthermore, women are natural communicators within their families and communities, making them valuable agents in distributing information, coordinating local resources, and motivating collective action during catastrophes. Given their unique vulnerabilities and challenges in the aftermath of natural disasters, women must be included in discussions regarding managing these disasters. By including their perspectives, we can make sure that their unique requirements are identified and met in a way that considers these vulnerabilities. This not only safeguards their health but also fosters inclusion by improving disaster response to accommodate all community members (Abdalla et al., 2024).They may encounter various barriers in accessing essential resources and services and experience discrimination or marginalization amid the challenges posed by disasters. By acknowledging and addressing the intersecting inequalities, inclusive and equitable strategies can be developed to promote social justice in the face of disasters. 


Women can be included in disaster response management and leadership, firstly, by modifying policies, updating these to require women to be included in planning organizations and disaster committees, particularly at the local level. Disaster preparedness programs must empower women in technical skills, emergency response, and leadership so they can play an active part during emergencies. UN Women has also initiated the Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) program, which is a global initiative designed to upskill resilience strategies for women and girls in the face of disasters, climate change, and other crises. The programme offers a comprehensive package of support and serves as a central platform for sharing gender-related knowledge, data, tools, and resources in disaster and climate resilience. 


According to recent research conducted in rural Nepal (Khatri et al., 2023), self-help women’s groups have become crucial for lowering the risk of disasters and fostering resilience. Although these grassroots organizations offer financial, emotional, and physical support, they also emphasize the importance of women taking care of themselves to lessen the increased strain that comes with emergencies. Support for more groups and institutions that follow this strategy can continue to make essential contributions by promoting self-care and redefining requests for help as a strength rather than a weakness. 


Similarly, as per the study by Saito & Murosaki (2012), a training program in the Kathmandu Valley demonstrated how empowering women through focused education contributes to the development of disaster-resilient communities by preparing women for safer home practices. The training concentrated on non-structural disaster risk reduction measures, emphasizing practical and low-cost solutions that households might employ to make their homes safer from hazards such as earthquakes. It also relied on women's social networks to boost collective awareness and resilience. The participants were local women from three Kathmandu Valley communities, mostly housewives and community members in charge of household management and family safety. They were purposefully involved because of their central position in family care and social activities, making them key actors in promoting safer homes and disaster preparedness. In March 2023, Vanuatu was hit by two Category 4 cyclones in a span of a week, causing widespread destruction. In response, the Women Wetem Weta (Women's Weather Watch) program, which is part of ActionAid's Women I TokTok Tugeta (WITTT) network, mobilized nearly 5,000 women from Erromango, Tanna, Malakula, and Malo Islands. These women used a call-tree network and a text messaging system to send disaster warnings and preparedness information to about 40% of the population. They organized neighborhood meetings, distributed water tanks to houses, and ensured that women with disabilities' needs were met. This campaign highlighted women's vital roles in disaster preparedness and response, proving that their leadership may dramatically improve community resilience to natural catastrophes (ActionAid Australia, 2024). 


Another example of community-led resilience in Nepal is the project published in October 2023 entitled "Mitigating Flood Risks through Women's Leadership in EbA Interventions". The project started in the Mohana-Khutiya River Basin in Far-Western Nepal to increase flood preparedness using a gender-sensitive, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategy. The effort actively engaged women in disaster risk reduction by engaging them in flood risk assessment and management, empowering them to take on leadership positions in community decision-making, and giving assistance in implementing EbA policies. The initiative increased community knowledge and readiness by focusing on women's perspectives and utilizing their social networks, emphasizing the importance of women's engagement in inclusive and effective disaster planning and resilience (Global EbA Fund, 2024).


Such initiatives build preparedness from within and make full use of existing social networks, highlighting the critical role of women in disaster risk reduction. Similar approaches should be systematically applied to integrate female perspectives into disaster response frameworks, ensuring inclusive and context-sensitive recovery. By empowering women through leadership roles, capacity-building, and active participation in planning and decision-making, communities can enhance resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and create more equitable and effective disaster management systems. Recognizing women not just as vulnerable populations but as key agents of change strengthens overall preparedness and fosters sustainable recovery for all community members.

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About the Author:


Nayana Karmacharya is a fourth-year Social Work student at St. Xavier’s College. She has a strong interest in psychology, program coordination, and research, which has shaped her academic and fieldwork engagement. As an LSRA Research Award recipient, she has participated in multiple research projects and gained valuable experience through diverse internships. Nayana is passionate about continuous learning and making a positive impact on individuals and communities.



References


Abdalla, S., Ramadan, E., & Mamari, W. A. (2024). Enhancing gender-responsive resilience: The critical role of women in disaster risk reduction in Oman. Progress in Disaster Science, 100376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2024.100376



Global EbA Fund. (2024). Mitigating flood risks through women's leadership in EbA interventions. https://globalebafund.org/project/mitigating-flood-risks-through-womens-leadership-in-eba-interventions/


Gurung, S., & Pandey, J. (2021, August). Gender and inclusion in disaster risk management in Nepal. Women Humanitarian and DRR Platform. https://www.dpnet.org.np/uploads/files/Inclusion%20in%20DRM_WHDRRP-Shakti%20Gurung,%20Jwala%20Pandey%202021-08-18%2020-16-39.pdf


Hemachandra, K., Amaratunga, D., & Haigh, R. (2018). Role of women in disaster risk governance. Procedia Engineering, 212, 1187–1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2018.01.153


Khatri, J., Tippett, V., & Durham, J. (2023). The role of self-help women’s groups in disaster risk reduction and community resilience in Nepal. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 38(S1), s71–s72. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1049023x23002121 


Koussayer, A. (2023). Women at the Center: Towards a More Inclusive Natural Disaster Management Framework. Available at SSRN 4618508 .


Mendis, K., Thayaparan, M., Kaluarachchi, Y., & Pathirage, C. (2023). Challenges faced by Marginalized Communities in a Post-Disaster Context: A Systematic Review of the literature. Sustainability, 15(14), 10754. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410754 


Saito, Y., & Murosaki, Y. (2012). A study on Women’s participation in disaster risk reduction in Nepal: A case study of training women for Safer homes. Japan Social Innovation Journal, 2(1), 18–25. https://doi.org/10.12668/jsij.2.18 


Thapa, V., & Pathranarakul, P. (2018b). Gender inclusiveness in disaster risk governance for sustainable recovery of 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, Nepal. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 34, 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.11.019


The aftermath of an earthquake in Nepal. (2019). UNW WRD Knowledge Hub. https://wrd.unwomen.org/node/175 


United Nations Population Fund. (2024). Flash update: Nepal floods and landslides 2024. UNFPA. https://nepal.unfpa.org 


Women and Girls in Disasters - Center for Disaster Philanthropy. (2022, April 20). Center for Disaster Philanthropy. https://disasterphilanthropy.org/cdp-resource/women-and-girls-in-disasters/ 


Women are hit hardest in disasters, so why are responses too often gender-blind? (n.d.). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/blog/women-are-hit-hardest-disasters-so-why-are-responses-too-often-gender-blind 

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