| Abstrakt: |
Flooding is a recurrent problem affecting countries across the globe, causing suffering to people, and destroying livelihoods and homes in its wake. The disastrous effects have led to the implementation of several disaster mitigation strategies aimed at curbing flood-induced socio-economic losses. Early warning systems are extensively regarded as a critical component to disaster risk reduction initiatives. Significantly reducing the loss of lives and property by issuing early warnings to communities at risk, allowing adequate lead-time for evacuation. Notwithstanding its documented success stories, the efficiency of early warning systems is often undermined by the high flood-induced mortality rates of women, demonstrating a glaring gender gap. This is an indication that gender dimensions are at play beforehand, throughout, and in the aftermath of flood disasters. This paper uses the early warning system model to evaluate the deliberation of gender in warning dissemination channels. Disaster risk mitigation initiatives that maintain a gender-blind approach intensify the vulnerability of women and fortify gender imbalances. We utilize desktop analysis and employ intersectionality theory to emphasize the lived experiences of rural women's accessibility to early warning systems. Rural women's participation in early warning initiatives is likely to be obstructed by their prescribed gender roles, patriarchal norms, and the lack of ownership of prevailing resources to access early warning information. Consequently, the integration of a gender perspective will not only improve the effectiveness of early warning systems, but will similarly go a long way towards saving the lives of women, particularly those in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
