ROLE OF WOMEN IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICIES: MYTHS AND REALITIES IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

In this study it is intended to depict that women equally with men would be oriented in dealing with disaster. Disasters, be in natural and human induced in nature, affect social and economic development of the country, gradually erode assets of citizens, increase social and economic inequity. Disaster will contribute to increased adverse impacts on human life. There are gender variations to vulnerability, capability and resilience. The impacts of disasters are differentiated for women and men and it makes far more severe for women. However, women perform a long range of activities in order to cope and adapt with different forms of disaster. General gender related discourse on disaster has been known, little has been done or promised, so far to address the vital issues. Establishing linkages between gender and mitigation has also been largely absent. The role of women are still not taken fully into account in policies, the needs of women are not considered in the development of new technology or the refinement of existing ones, and more often than not, women are under-represented in planning, decision-making and implementation in key sectors such as energy and transport, for example. Women are thus unable to voice their specific requirements and needs. Moreover, their potential as agents of change on mitigation also remains exploited. Women’s extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the environment and resource conservation is also not given due consideration in policy making despite their involvement fostering economic growth and socio-economic development, reducing poverty, keeping environmental problems in check, and increasing the wellbeing of societies as a whole. Women in the country do not have any access to modern energy or technology. In their role as the main providers of family and community care, they have different needs in terms of disaster management than most men and this need to be taken into account in policy development and implementation. In a nation considered the most vulnerable to natural disasters in the world, women must be enabled to take on a bigger role in disaster preparedness and response. Low access to power, institutional resources, transportation, sanitation and technology as well as a huge gap between policies and implementation are the key reasons for women's poor capacity to deal with the challenges.