Participation of women in post-tsunami reconstruction processes in the Chilean Biobio Region coastal area

Abstract

Women, girls, boys and men belonging to different age and socio-economic strata have distinct vulnerabilities to face natural disaster, which also affects their ability to recover from it. Systematic inequalities, overall exacerbate the impact of disaster and climate change effects, and hinder sustainable development. However, women play a central role in rebuilding homes and communities after a disaster. In this paper, the case of the post-disaster reconstruction of the coastal areas of the Biobio Region in Chile, affected by the earthquake and tsunami of February 27th 2010, is presented, placing emphasis on the role of women during the process. The disaster, despite the destruction and human losses caused, also provides the opportunity to rebuild affected communities by reducing pre-event vulnerabilities. When considering gender-based vulnerability to hazards, women have demonstrated more ability to capitalize on the social and cultural potential that arose after the catastrophe to improve their original conditions.
The case study shows that women have known how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the reconstruction process. This demonstrates that women, if given the tools and a socio-cultural context that allows them to have an even playing field, can be the base on which to build communities that are more resilient to face the changes produced by natural events.