Natural hazards and earthquake science: Gender matters

Abstract

Gender equality is far from being reached in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Women in Earth Sciences still remain underrepresented although positive trends are recognized in the last decades. Dealing with gender inequalities in academia, however, is only part of the problem. As well as Earth Sciences need more women in leadership positions and decision-making committees, and more girls educated in the field, alike there are well-founded reasons for scientists to put attention to gender in a broader sense. According to United Nations, inadequate attention has been given how gender inequality drives disaster risks and impacts. The present contribution aims to broaden the gender perspective from improving underrepresentation in the workplace and breaking down barriers in research careers, to including gender in research content in an extensive sense. A paradigm shift is proposed from women in science to women in society, coping with gender-responsive disaster risk reduction and multiple gender dimensions in Earth Sciences. Counterbalancing present inequalities in the workplace, as well as applying a gender lens in all hazard-related activities is needed to cope with complex social systems in earthquake-prone areas. An intersectional approach and transdisciplinary research are needed.