Women’s Participation in Natural Disasters and Accidents: A Case Study of Bam Earthquake, Iran

Abstract

Background: Although natural disasters leave thousands of deaths and wounded, one of their\rmost significant outcomes is empowering women as well as taking measures with special\rattention to women. This study aimed to analyze women’s cooperation and its affective factors\rin natural disasters and accidents.\rMaterials and Methods: The study design is cross-sectional and descriptive. The study\rpopulation comprised the women living in Bam, Iran and the sample size was calculated\ras 385. The study instrument is a researcher-made questionnaire. To analyze the data, the\rdescriptive statistical methods, the statistical correlation test, and 1-way analysis of variance\rwere performed by using SPSS 16.\rResults: The study result about the effects of the women demographic characteristics on their\rcooperation showed that there were no relationships between women’s cooperation and their\rmarital status or degree of education. However, there were significant and positive relationships\rbetween their cooperation and variables of age, being indigenous, and occupational status.\rThe results have also indicated that there were significant relationships between women’s\rcooperation and variables of knowledge and attitude.\rConclusion: Women, despite their vulnerability in natural accidents, have the capability in\rperforming different tasks such as taking care and accommodating the injured family members,\rand making peace and relief in difficult and undesirable situations after natural disasters\rsuch as earthquake. However, the results of this study revealed that women’s cooperation in\rdifferent parts of crisis management was very limited. This matter demands more attention of\rthe responsible authorities.