Article

Africa Institute of Graduate Studies
Master of Disaster Risk Management and

Sustainable Development
Gender and Disaster Risk Management
Article Review: Disaster Devastation in Poor Nations: The Direct and

Indirect Effects of Gender Equality, Ecological Losses, and Development
by;
1. Abdifitah Mohamud Abdullahi Aigs /114/2016
Instructor: Belay Womber (Assistant professor of development studies)
Jigjiga Ethiopia
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Research Methodologies ................................................................................................................. 1
Key Findings ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Contribution to Gender and Disaster Risk Management ................................................................ 2
Contribution to Gender Mainstreaming .......................................................................................... 3
Lessons for Application in Local Contexts ........................................................................................ 3
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 4
II
Article Review: Disaster Devastation in Poor Nations: The Direct and Indirect Effects
of Gender Equality, Ecological Losses, and Development
Introduction
The article titled "Disaster Devastation in Poor Nations: The Direct and Indirect Effects
of Gender Equality, Ecological Losses, and Development," written by Kelly F. Austin
and Laura A. McKinney, delves into the intersection of gender equality, ecological
degradation, and disaster vulnerability in developing nations. The authors focus on the
heightened risks faced by poor nations in the face of climate-induced disasters like
storms, floods, and droughts, emphasizing the role that gender inequalities play in
exacerbating these vulnerabilities.
In recent years, natural disasters have increasingly impacted less developed nations,
where weak infrastructures and limited socio-economic development intensify the
destruction caused by such events. For example, Hurricane Mitch in 1998 devastated
Honduras, causing catastrophic floods and mudslides, partly due to deforestation. These
disasters disproportionately affect women, who are more likely to suffer due to their
socio-economic status and their roles in domestic and agricultural labor. This article
contributes to our understanding of how improving women's status could mitigate these
devastating effects.
Research Methodologies
The authors use structural equation modeling (SEM) as the primary methodological
tool to explore the relationships between disaster vulnerability, gender equality,
ecological losses, and development. SEM is a powerful statistical technique that allows
researchers to analyze complex cause-and-effect relationships between multiple
variables. In this study, it helped the authors model both direct and indirect effects, such
as how ecological degradation directly impacts disaster vulnerability but also indirectly
affects women’s economic status, which in turn influences disaster preparedness.
The study draws from multiple data sources, including the EM-DAT International
Disaster Database for disaster-related statistics, and the Gender, Institutions, and
Development Database (GID-DB) for gender-related indicators. The focus is on data
from 85 less-developed nations, looking specifically at floods, storms, and droughts
between 2001 and 2010. These are some of the most frequent and destructive types of
disasters linked to climate change, and the authors sought to understand the extent of the
devastation in relation to gender inequalities and ecological conditions.
This methodology is particularly effective because SEM allows for simultaneous analysis
of multiple factors, ensuring that interdependent variables like gender, ecology, and
economic development are fully accounted for. By modeling latent variables (such as
women’s economic status), the study provides insights that simple correlation analyses
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might miss, especially the indirect pathways that reveal how gender equality can mediate
disaster impacts.
Key Findings
The key findings from this study emphasize the interconnectedness of gender equality,
ecological degradation, and disaster vulnerability:
• Improving women's economic status directly reduces disaster vulnerability. In
nations where women have better access to land ownership, loans, and property
rights, communities are better prepared for and can recover more effectively from
disasters.
• Ecological degradation exacerbates disaster impacts. Nations with higher rates
of deforestation, land-use changes, and environmental exploitation suffer more
during disaster events. The depletion of natural barriers like forests and wetlands
leaves these nations more vulnerable to the effects of storms, floods, and
droughts.
• Developmental indicators, such as GDP per capita and access to public health
resources, indirectly reduce disaster vulnerability by improving women's
economic status. More developed nations tend to provide better infrastructure,
health services, and social safety nets, which in turn empower women and
enhance community resilience.
• Public health resources like clean water, healthcare workers, and education also
play a critical role in reducing the human cost of disasters. Countries that invest in
health infrastructure are better able to protect their populations from disaster-
related illness, injury, and death.
These findings reveal a clear pattern: societies that invest in gender equality,
environmental conservation, and economic development experience less devastation from
natural disasters.
Contribution to Gender and Disaster Risk Management

This research makes a significant contribution to the growing field of gender and
disaster risk management by demonstrating the critical role that women's economic
empowerment plays in disaster preparedness and response. Previous research in disaster
studies has often focused on economic and environmental factors, with less attention
given to the impact of gender inequalities. Austin and McKinney bridge this gap by
showing that addressing gender disparities can have direct benefits for disaster resilience.
The research aligns with ecofeminist theories, which suggest that women, particularly in
developing countries, are more connected to their natural environments due to their roles
in agriculture and domestic work. By improving women's access to economic resources
2
and positions of power, societies can better manage and preserve natural resources,
thereby reducing their vulnerability to ecological disasters. The findings also reinforce
the need for more inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction, where both men and
women are involved in decision-making and planning.
Contribution to Gender Mainstreaming

The study offers a solid empirical basis for promoting gender mainstreaming in disaster
risk reduction (DRR). Gender mainstreaming refers to the process of incorporating
gender perspectives into all levels of policy, planning, and program development to
ensure that women’s and men’s experiences are equally considered. Austin and
McKinney’s research shows that gender equality is not only a moral imperative but also a
practical necessity for reducing disaster risks. Their analysis suggests that countries with
greater gender equality are better positioned to prevent and mitigate disasters.
For example, in Bangladesh, a country frequently affected by floods and cyclones,
women have been increasingly included in local disaster preparedness committees, where
their knowledge and participation have led to more effective evacuation plans and
resource distribution. This type of gender mainstreaming, supported by the findings in
this study, can serve as a model for other developing nations.
Lessons for Application in Local Contexts

From a community perspective, one key lesson is the importance of empowering
women at the local level to enhance disaster preparedness and response. In many
developing nations, including Ethiopia, where communities often face recurrent droughts
and floods, women are typically responsible for securing water, food, and firewood. By
ensuring women have access to credit, land, and education, they can play a pivotal role in
strengthening household resilience against disasters.
Policies that integrate gender considerations into local disaster planning can ensure that
women are not only beneficiaries of aid but also active participants in creating solutions.
For instance, supporting women’s cooperatives that provide micro-loans for agricultural
improvements or sustainable water management practices could significantly improve
disaster outcomes. Additionally, promoting women's leadership in local governance and
DRR efforts will help to ensure that gender-sensitive policies are adopted and
implemented effectively.
Conclusion
The article by Austin and McKinney provides a compelling argument for the integration
of gender equality into disaster risk management strategies. Their findings underscore
that improving women's economic status can significantly reduce the devastation caused
by natural disasters in less developed nations. Moreover, the research highlights the
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critical role of ecological preservation and economic development in mitigating disaster
impacts.
By linking gender equality to disaster resilience, the study offers important insights for
policymakers, practitioners, and scholars alike. It calls for a more inclusive approach to
disaster risk reduction, one that recognizes the central role that women play in protecting
their communities and managing natural resources.
Recommendations
To further enhance disaster resilience in poor nations, the following recommendations are
proposed:
• Governments should prioritize gender-responsive DRR policies that focus on
increasing women's access to economic resources, such as land ownership, credit,
and property rights.
• International organizations and NGOs should support capacity-building
initiatives that empower women to take on leadership roles in disaster planning
and response efforts. This includes training programs that provide women with
the skills needed to manage natural resources and coordinate community-based
disaster preparedness.
• Policymakers should emphasize the importance of ecological preservation as
a means of reducing disaster risks. Environmental conservation strategies that
involve women in resource management can create natural barriers to disasters,
such as reforestation projects and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Efforts should be made to include women in high-level policy discussions
related to climate change and disaster risk reduction. Gender equality should be a
core component of international frameworks like the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, with specific guidelines for incorporating women into
national and local DRR strategies.

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Africa Institute of Graduate Studies

Master of Disaster Risk Management and

Gender and Disaster Risk Management

Article Review: Disaster Devastation in Poor Nations: The Direct and

1. Abdifitah Mohamud Abdullahi Aigs /114/2016

Instructor: Belay Womber (Assistant professor of development studies)

Contribution to Gender and Disaster Risk Management

Contribution to Gender Mainstreaming

Lessons for Application in Local Contexts

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