How Gender-Sensitive Disaster Management is Addressed in the Turkish Parliament: A Qualitative Study from Feminist...

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• The 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes, termed the "Disaster of the Century," highlighted women's disproportionate impact in disasters.
• Feminist movements have increased awareness of gender inequalities, promoting "gender-sensitive disaster management."

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the inclusion of gender-sensitive disaster management in Turkish parliamentary discourse.
• To contribute to feminist bioethics and disaster management policies in earthquake-prone Türkiye, focusing on vulnerable groups.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of 29 parliamentary session transcripts from February 6 to April 23, 2023.
• Systematic keyword searches for "earthquake," "disaster," "gender," "women," and "health."
• Anonymized coding of data from the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) official records.

Main Results:

• Parliamentary discourse on "disaster and gender" centered on "Access to Humanitarian Aid," "Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination," and "Vulnerability."
• Discussions included "Right to Life," "Right to Shelter," and "Right to Health," encompassing hygiene, sexual/reproductive health, and food/water access.
• Sub-themes covered traditional gender norms, care work, participation, solidarity, privacy/security, intersectionality (disability, LGBTQ+, refugees), advocacy, and accountability.

Conclusions:

• Gender-sensitive disaster management significantly impacts women and vulnerable populations, underscoring feminist ethical imperatives.
• Comprehensive policies are essential at all disaster management stages to ensure equitable consideration for all groups.