Resilience of Iranian women in natural disasters: a qualitative study

Although natural disasters pose a threat to everyone, they do not affect all members of society equally. It is now recognized that disasters have gendered dimensions, with different effects on men and women. Resilience is a challenging concept that has become a concern for researchers in the field of health during disasters and emergencies. This study was conducted to identify the resilience characteristics of Iranian women in natural disasters.

This study used a qualitative approach, employing conventional content analysis based on Lindgren's (2020) method. Purposeful sampling was used to conduct individual interviews with 11 women aged 18 and older who were affected by natural disasters, as well as 10 experts in disaster management and resilience.

The resilience of Iranian women in natural disasters was categorized into four main categories: individual resilience (demographic factors, personality traits, physical and mental aspects, knowledge, skills, and previous experiences), cultural resilience (gender discrimination, norms, religious beliefs and practices), social resilience (social interactions, social support, and community security), and economic resilience (assets and income).

To improve the resilience of women in natural disasters, it is necessary to address gender discrimination in policies and planning, including ensuring women's equitable access to education, property ownership, employment, and leadership positions. The root causes of discrimination in various cultural, social, political, and economic dimensions must be addressed. We recommend that disaster management policies include specific components to guarantee the protection of women's legal rights in different communities.