Determining the Effect of Gender Role in Disaster Management on Disaster Risk Perception

Participation and empowerment of young people are considered important in reducing disaster risks and damages and in enhancing effective intervention capacity and reconstruction processes. On the other hand, gender mainstreaming in disaster management and steps that are sensitive to sustainable development should be encouraged. This study aims to determine the effect of social gender roles in disaster management on the disaster risk perception of young individuals. The study is cross-sectional and descriptive. In this context, data were collected from 405 young individuals living in Turkey. In the evaluation of the obtained data, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and an independent t-test for two different variables were used. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationships between variables. In the study, it was determined that as the perception of gender role in disaster management increases, disaster risk perception decreases. In the exposure sub-dimension of the disaster risk perception scale, young women's risk perceptions are higher than those of young men. It was determined that the awareness of gender roles in disaster management is higher among young women than among men. Social gender role significantly affects disaster risk perception. Statistically significant findings were observed for the variables of disaster education, disaster experience, and gender. It is important to develop strategies that prioritize gender equality and the inclusion of young people in disaster management. Gender role perceptions vary according to the social, cultural, and administrative structures of countries. Risk perception helps predict the behavioral responses of individuals and guides them through risk communication. The information provided can assist decision-makers in developing disaster risk reduction strategies and policies on risk communication.