Gender inclusiveness in disaster risk governance for sustainable recovery of 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, Nepal

Abstract

Disaster impacts vary in two distinct stages including immediate and long-term impacts. The current disaster management practices focus mainly on immediate search and rescue overlooking long-term disaster impacts. This study explores the neglected gender sensitive aspect particularly women's roles and participation during disaster recovery, gaps in gender inclusive disaster risk governance framework, and attempts to highlight the current needs for sustainable recovery of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. The study uses a mixed-methods approach and examines the historical Kathmandu city and Sankhu town which were severely affected by the 2015 earthquake. By employing household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observation, and literature review, the study found that understanding of the gender sensitivity in post-disaster recovery was oblivious among the Nepalese community due to lack of knowledge, traditional patriarchal culture, awareness and exposure. Further, the unfavorable political situation, limited capacity and policy implementation failures to gender inclusiveness have been the biggest challenge for post-disaster recovery. The findings have implications for the ongoing recovery process in Nepal and other least developed countries engaged in disaster risk reduction.