The Intersection of Patriarchal Chains and The Natural Disasters: Exploring the Impact of Flood on Women in The Rural Areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

Abstract

The current study aims to unfold the multifaceted impacts of flood disasters on women in the socio-economic sphere. The universe of the present venture was the rural areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. The research questions of the study were: What are the adverse impacts of disasters on the livelihood of women in rural areas of district D.G. Khan? What is the role of women in uplifting the socio-economic status of livelihood in the rural areas of D.G. Khan? The researcher interviewed 19 female respondents by using purposive sampling. The data was gathered through an interview guide using the face-to-face technique. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis and the following themes were identified: impact of flooding on women, women’s health and food security, women's health and malnutrition, women and economic insecurity, workload in the family and their burden, shelter problems and women, intimate partner violence and feminization of poverty. The study concluded that women are vulnerable in different ways. Firstly, women are suffering from nutritional deficiency; secondly, women must work at home and in the fields with men; thirdly, women are not allowed to get an education; and fourthly, women lack access to information.