Abstract

<p>This study explores gender-related issues in disaster risk and management, focusing on the vulnerability of women, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where cultural, socio-economic, and political factors exacerbate their exposure to natural disasters. Women in coastal regions, for instance, face additional challenges because their roles and contributions to disaster preparedness and recovery are often underrecognized in disaster management frameworks. The research highlights the disproportionate impact of disasters on women and girls, emphasizing their vulnerability to loss of life, livelihoods, and increased violence. It identifies key factors such as poor access to resources, lack of formal disaster management training, and gender-based divisions of labor, which hinder women’s capacity to respond to and recover from disasters. The study also underscores the importance of involving women in disaster planning and decision-making processes to build more resilient communities. Through a qualitative approach, the research advocates for the integration of gender-sensitive strategies in disaster management, which not only address the vulnerabilities women face but also harness their capabilities in disaster risk reduction. The findings recommend increased participation of women in emergency planning, as well as community and household-level preparedness and capacity-building initiatives, to ensure more sustainable and inclusive disaster management practices.</p>