Agency and vulnerability of women in disaster: exploring role of women in disaster risk reduction in DND project area

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address role of women in reducing vulnerabilities induced by waterlogging in the study area. The study also aims to identify the women’s role in disasters preparedness and disaster risk reduction. Design/methodology/approach The study followed the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative method. A semistructured questionnaire was used for collecting quantitative data from 400 females who have experienced and affected by waterlogging from four villages under the Dhaka–Narayanganj–Demra (DND) embankment area in Narayanganj district. Furthermore, 6 focus group discussions, 25 case studies and 6 key informant interview have been conducted to gather information about the nature of vulnerabilities, coping mechanisms followed by women role played by women to mitigate vulnerabilities and problems encountered by women as effective managers. Findings Findings of this study have revealed that women’s vulnerability enhances due to unequal access to basic services, like access to income and related opportunities, improve health-care service, access to proper sanitation, dual work burden and nonrecognition of their contribution and also socio-cultural barriers to participate in disaster and reconstruction processes. The traditional social structure and patriarchal societal norms made maximal women of the survey area worst victims of waterlogging as the findings confirms. During disasters, women use some indigenous coping mechanisms, yet women rarely used any indigenous coping mechanisms on their own. Originality/value The study identified agency and vulnerabilities of women in the context of DND embankment area of Narayanganj, Dhaka that has not been previously explored.