Gender Dimensions in Disaster Risks Reduction Policy: Insights from
Bangladesh
Sajal Roy, PhD
School of Social Sciences
Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
E: Sajal.roy@westernsydney.edu.au; roysajal.wgs@gmail.com
Dr. Bishawjit Mallick
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow
Chair of Environmental Development and Risk Management
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Technische Universität Dresden / DRESDEN concept
01062 Dresden, GERMANY
Utsab Bhattarai, PhD Candidate
Institute for Culture and Society
Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
E: utsabbhattarai61@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper aims to delve into how gender dimensions observed before, during and after a disaster, have
been addressed in two internationally recognised frameworks developed for reducing risks of disasters:
Hyogo Framework Action (2005-2015) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-
2030). Building on a systematic review, we evaluate 15 scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles,
including book chapters and websites in areas of gender, disaster risk reduction and vulnerability. This
study documents a comparative picture of these two frameworks and shows the practical implications
of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) by addressing women’s empowerment
in the light of their active participation in disaster risk reduction process. The findings of the study
suggest that the frameworks have discussed the reduction of women’s socioeconomic vulnerabilities,
as well as encouraged their empowerment. Comparing the two frameworks, it appears in the current
study that there has been a significant gap in the existing literature that does not explicitly document
comparing and contrasting features of a gender lens in the policy documents.
Keywords: Disaster, Vulnerability, Women, Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, Bangladesh
Introduction: an overview on gender, disaster and vulnerabilities
The frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters are increasing in Bangladesh. Due to
the lack of access to services and resources, the minority are disadvantaged. Women and
Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 5 July 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202107.0083.v1
© 2021 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license.