Social capital in women’s cyclone preparedness, response and recovery: a case of women-headed households in Bangladesh

Purpose This study explored the social capital received by women household heads (WHHs) as informal assistance during recurring cyclones and investigated the contributions of various social capital to women’s cyclone-related preparedness, responses and recovery. Design/methodology/approach This research focused on women-headed households in Gabura Union, a southwest coastal area in Bangladesh. Data were collected using a mixed methods approach, yielding 114 survey responses and 44 semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and narrative analyses, including various statistical tests, were used to evaluate the data. Findings The findings reveal that the bonding capital assistance received by WHHs was prevalent across all cyclone phases, whereas bridging capital support was available only during response and recovery; the interviewed WHHs expressed satisfaction with the former but not with the latter. Although insufficient, bridging capital still plays an important role in cyclone preparedness and recovery. The analysis also shows that women who are older adults, financially disadvantaged, and live without an earning male family member are prioritised for assistance. Originality/value This study adds to the existing literature on the role of social capital in coping with cyclone-related hazards, addressing the research gap on women or women-headed households, who are the most affected victims of recurring cyclones in coastal Bangladesh.