Building disaster resilient communities through women’s leadership

This research report examines the role of women’s leadership in strengthening disaster-resilient communities, focusing on local contexts in Nepal and the Philippines. It explores how women are disproportionately affected by disasters caused by natural hazards while often being excluded from decision-making processes in disaster preparedness and response (DPR). The study analyzes the structural barriers—such as restrictive social norms, limited financial resources, and weak institutional support—that limit women’s participation in disaster risk reduction initiatives.

The report finds that increasing women’s participation and leadership in disaster preparedness and response can significantly strengthen community resilience to disasters. It highlights that empowering women through inclusive policies, institutional support, and access to resources improves disaster risk reduction outcomes and enhances collective preparedness. The research concludes that overcoming social and institutional barriers to women’s leadership is essential for building more inclusive and resilient disaster management systems.