Disasters, Gender and Access to Healthcare

Drawing on first-hand research with women in coastal Bangladesh, Rezwana explores the gender-specific health impacts of cyclones, and factors shaping accessibility to healthcare in disasters. Current disaster plans and policies for pre-and post-disaster are challenged and suggestions are proposed to reduce women’s vulnerability to future cyclones.

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Disasters, Gender and Access to Healthcare: Women in Coastal Bangladesh emphasizes women’s experiences in cyclone disasters being confined with gendered identity and responsibilities in developing socio-economic conditions with minimum healthcare facilities.

The study is situated in the coastal region of Bangladesh, considered as one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. Bangladesh has been working on disaster management for a long time; however, considering gender perspective, the book reveals gaps in plans and raises serious questions about the successful implementation of healthcare strategies after disasters. The book also describes the pre–during–after disaster periods showing the full picture of a disaster attack in victims’ own words. Case studies of seriously affected victims give the reader an opportunity to understand the situations created for women during a disaster attack in a remote area with poor transport and healthcare facilities.

These unique research findings will contribute to the broader context of gender, disaster and health studies. This book will be helpful for university staff and students of different disciplines including Anthropology, Disaster Management, Gender Studies and Geography and South Asian Regional Studies and be invaluable reading for disaster managers, policy makers, aid workers, development partners, NGOs and government, especially in disaster-prone countries.