Gender inequality among female volunteers during the 2010 Merapi eruption in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

This study examines gender inequality among Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers during the 2010 Merapi eruption by focusing on the lived experiences of female informants. Using a qualitative approach, the research collected data through in-depth interviews and non-participant observations to understand how women navigated their positions within SAR structures. The findings show that women were significantly underrepresented in leadership roles and were frequently assigned to support tasks such as logistics, basic health assistance, and financial administration, which are often viewed as extensions of domestic responsibilities. Although their contributions were essential to the overall emergency response, women faced heavier workloads while remaining excluded from decision-making processes and field operations. These conditions reflected persistent patriarchal norms within SAR institutions that limited women’s opportunities to participate meaningfully in strategic disaster response activities. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in disaster governance to ensure a fairer distribution of responsibilities and to promote the inclusion of women in both operational and leadership roles. By demonstrating how gender hierarchies continue to shape crisis settings, this research contributes to broader discussions in gender and disaster studies and provides practical insights for developing more inclusive and responsive disaster management policies.