Gender-Focused Social Capital and Community Actions to Mitigate Flood Risks in Pakistan
摘要
This chapter examines the role of gender-focused social capital in mitigating flood risks in Pakistan, emphasizing how women’s networks and community engagement strengthen flood disaster resilience. Pakistan has experienced mega devastating flood events during the past two decades including riverine floods, flash floods, and pluvial flood events. It has been observed that the flood characteristics in upper reaches are to largely different then the middle and lower reaches of the river basin. In Pakistan, where large share of the population is residing in rural areas, therefore, the role of women in mitigating flood risk is of key significance. Utilizing case studies from flood-prone regions, the research explores how women leverage social connections to mobilize resources, share knowledge, and implement adaptive practices during flood events. These efforts, often overlooked in formal disaster management, are critical to building local resilience. The chapter also discusses the involvement of NGOs, local institutions, and government agencies in fostering gender-sensitive disaster risk reduction strategies. By integrating qualitative and quantitative data from recent floods, the study offers insights into the importance of gender perspectives in climate resilience and disaster mitigation, with implications for policy in Pakistan and other South Asian countries.