GENDER DIFFERENCE IN ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OVER RESOURCES DURING DISASTER: THE CASE OF KHULNA CITY CORPORATION, SOUTHWEST BANGLADESH

Abstract

This study focuses on the gender difference in access to household resources and people’s participation in disaster risk management in Khulna City. The study has adopted both qualitative (case study and focus group discussion) and quantitative (survey) approaches. The data have been collected by using stratified random sampling. To identify the access to and control over resources during disaster seven types of resources are considered to construct the Cumulative Empowerment Index (CEI). These are access to shelter, income, food, infrastructural facility, organizational support, information and participation in emergency situation. The value of R square (0.95) indicates that the aforesaid variables have 95 percent influence on access to and control over resources. In the study area the respondents (61.8%) noted about fire accident as frequently occurred and serious disaster in the locality. Flooding and water logging due to poor drainage are widespread. Eviction is also responsible for disruption of livelihood of the respondents. Another disaster causes vulnerability of the respondents is water logging. From the study it is found that 37.41 percent male household heads were very highly disaster threatened whereas the female were 74.82 percent and no female headed household is in the category of very low disaster-threatened but 4.96 percent male household head belong to this category. Through case study and focus group discussion many strategies like taking out loan, reducing household food expenditure, vegetable cultivation, participation in communitylevel mitigation strategies have been identified and were proposed by the beneficiaries involved in managing disaster risk. Disaster response strategies could protect and assist women as well as men are better for the community as a whole. By empowering citizens and enabling those to request greater equality and accountability these initiatives could play a strong role in helping cities to develop into vibrant and sustainable living environments with equitable economic and social resources.