Examining Gendered Expectations on Women's Vulnerability to Natural Hazards in Low to Middle Income Countries: A critical Literature Review

Global warming is increasing the prevalence of climate change induced disasters across the world. The gender imbalance of mortality rates in disaster settings for women and men is significant with women at greater risk of mortality than men. The aim of this critical literature review is to examine the impact of gender expectations on women's level of vulnerability to natural hazards in low to middle income countries. A systematic search of peerreviewed international literature from 2004 to 2020 using EBSCOhost databases found fifteen articles that met the inclusion criteria; a critical appraisal using two evidence-based tools resulted in twelve articles. A thematic analysis of the findings revealed three major themes; rigid gender beliefs and roles of women; discriminatory policies and practices against women; and lack of women's leadership in socio-economic and political environments across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Philippines, Vanuatu and Vietnam. The socioeconomic health outcomes for women who were vulnerable to natural hazards included: prolonged psychological stress, chronic fatigue, malnutrition, lack of education, unemployment, poverty, gender-based violence, inadequate access to housing and barriers to healthcare services. Recommendations include: a gender-lens in disaster management operations; funding for gender disaggregated research, training and advocacy; integrated multilevel and strategic partnerships; opportunities for women with lived experience; gender equity units to monitor and evaluate gender outcomes; gender discrimination legislation; and economic support for women. Further research is needed to understand the intersectional complexity of gender in disaster management policies and public health interventions.