The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake: A perspective on women's experiences

Jennifer Parker Hamilton, Sarah J. Halvorson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake is illustrative of the intensity and scope associated with catastrophic earthquake disasters in mountainous regions. The experience of the immediate aftermath, relief and recovery, and community reconstruction underscores how this event impacted mountain women, particularly in their roles in rescue and relief efforts and in rebuilding households and communities. A situational analysis was undertaken in order to document and make recommendations for the significant challenges and concerns facing women earthquake survivors in 3 of the valleys most proximate to the epicenter Earthquake planning and mitigation strategies in northern Pakistan and elsewhere need to focus on reducing women is vulnerability and increasing their resilience, while fostering feasible interventions to reduce disaster risk across the population. We propose that the main elements should include pre-disaster vulnerability assessments; the support of women's access to resources and science-based earthquake education; active roles for women in relief, rehabilitation, and rebuilding efforts; and gender training among all disaster relief and emergency services.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)296-301
Number of pages6
JournalMountain Research and Development
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

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