Economically Challenged Women in Disaster Risk Management: Toward a Resilient Filipino Community

The social and cultural norms shape gender roles which sometimes deprive women of the opportunity to prepare for natural calamities. But the disastrous effect of natural disasters spares no one. It knows no gender. Most of the time, women more than men bear the worse of consequences. The study measures and describes the impact of disaster preparedness sessions on the perception of economically challenged women in Philippines. By using a mixed qualita-tive and quantitative research method the study found that: 1) the majority of women participants are willing to undergo training in disaster preparedness; 2) their awareness in disaster preparedness improved from “basic” to “high” level; 3) their level of action in disaster preparedness is still on the “planning stage” and; 4) the program effectively changed their attitude towards disaster preparedness and mitigation. The study provided insights on the potential of women in disaster preparedness toward a disaster resilient Filipino community.


Introduction
The social and cultural norms shape gender roles. The acceptable and desirable behavior in many societies is thus far, typically dictated by the concept of femininity or masculinity, gender stereotypes, and cultural norms. Customarily, men

Human Ecology and the Interplay of Social Community and Environmental Disaster
Human beings and the environment have a clear connection. Humans depend on nature for air, water, food, and shelter. Nature, on the other hand, needs humans to cultivate the soil and protect the habitat of animals. However, because of human's pursuit for higher income and material security, the symbiotic relationship between the community and environment is abused. The prevailing anthropogenic perception on the significance of natural resources disrupts the symbiotic relation. Needless to state, the current ecological situation and extreme weather conditions are the results of man's abuses of the environment.
Every year, during the last decade, naturally-occurring phenomena such as heavy rainfall, storms, flooding, landslides, and drought affect more than 200 million people in the Asia-Pacific Region alone [3]. Women, who are entirely dependent on farm produce, have to endure the effects of unpredictable weather-related events such as drought and intermittent rainfall [4]. The situation calls for mitigation, preparedness, and capacity-building measures important to help farmers emerge from poverty.
The Philippines, an island country with vast agricultural lands, is globally known as one of the world's most vulnerable countries when it comes to natural hazards. In fact, based on the 2016 World Risk Index, Philippines is the third most at risk to calamities worldwide as it is geographically located along the Typhoon Belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire [5]. Almost 60 percent of the country's total land area is exposed to natural hazards whereas about 74 percent of the population has a high vulnerability to disasters. The country experiences about 20 typhoons or tropical cyclones every year and six to eight of which, affect the mainland; injures people, and destroys hard-earned possessions. Thousands of lives, on the average are lost annually due to disasters. Tropical cyclones and associated flooding constitute about 75 percent of recorded deaths and 63 percent of actual damages [6].
The frequency and intensity of these calamities require an effective and efficient response from the national down to the local government units. Climate change heightens disaster risk yet the extent of damages to life and properties vary depending on how well the government and the community have prepared for the emergence of any catastrophe [7]. The impact of the disaster is often exacerbated by high exposure to a hazard, conditions of vulnerability, and insufficient capacity of the community to act or cope with the effects of prevailing risks [8]. Data from the National Anti-Poverty Commission and National Statistical Coordination Board indicates that if confronted by health problems, the death of a family member, loss of job, and disasters, forty-five percent of the Philippine population might fall into poverty [9]. Because of this, the Philippine Government has been doubling its efforts to reduce poverty among its people and to mitigate the effects of both natural and human-induced hazards. Poverty alleviation and disaster management strategies, therefore, have been introduced and mainstreamed into various laws and programs.

Women's Experiences in Natural Hazards
More than a hundred million women have to endure the impacts of disasters every year because of gender inequalities, socio-economic conditions, cultural traditions, and limited access to information and early warnings [10]. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), women worldwide are more exposed to disaster risks than men and also have higher rates of mortality and morbidity [11]. Based on records, women accounted for 90 percent of the 140,000 fatalities in the 1991 flooding in Bangladesh; 55 to 70 percent of deaths following the Banda Aceh, Indonesia tsunami in 2004; and 61 percent of the deaths due to Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008 [12]. In most cases, the inability of women to immediately escape from emergency situations like hydro meteorological catastrophes is associated with their physical limitations such as difficulty climbing trees and inability to swim; as well as, their incapacity to exercise freedom of choice. The problem continues in refugee camps as women and girls are exposed to higher risks because of conflict over scarce resources. Such situations threaten survival and aggravate stress levels in the family and at times lead to increased incidence of domestic violence [13]. The delivery of prenatal care also decreases after a disaster resulting to high-risk pregnancies and poor maternal and fetal outcomes [14]. The disaster situation makes women suffer from both physical and emotional burden [10].

Preparing Economically Challenged Women for Their Role in Community Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Disasters may aggravate social inequalities. Yet, women's increased vulnerability and exposure to hazards and risks based on social practice is a painful reality.
Gender roles should be maximized and used as an advantage rather than as an

Objectives of the Study
The study endeavors to determine the perception of selected economically chal-

Study Locale
The study area is in Cabanatuan (15.4865˚N, 120.9734˚E), a first class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Its geographical condition exposes it to natural hazards. The city has 39 high-risks, 17 medium-risks, and 33 low-risks barangays and is recognized as one of the flood-prone areas in Region III [19].
The recent data showed that in 2015, it has a total population of 302,231 [20]. Of which, around 150,000 people from high-risk barangays are submerged in chestdeep to roof-high flood water. Whereas, 67,000 people from medium-risk, and

Sampling Technique
The  Table 1 shows the scoring used in the analysis and interpretation of data collected from the survey.

Theoretical Framework
To describe the selected economically challenged women's perception of the integration of disaster risk reduction and management module in the Family Development Sessions the study adopted the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). This theory was developed by Albert Bandura and asserts that human behavior changes through a three-way, interrelated model linking personal factors, environmental influences, and behavior (see Figure 1). A basic premise of the Social Cognitive Theory is that people learn through experience, by adopting other's behavior and practices [21].
The study also adopted a similar principle known as Social Ecological Model. The model ( Figure 2) helps recognize different factors that influence behavior such as individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and public policy.

Paradigm of the Study
The diagram (Figure 3) conceptualized by the author based on the theories and models presented and on the data collected illustrates the idea that women's perception of disaster and desire to prepare for emergency situations/actions are influenced by factors such as previous experience, perceived needs, and knowledge

Socio-Demographic Data of Respondents
The interpretation of warnings received, and access to electronic media [22].
Most of them have jobs during the time of data gathering. Some of them are self-employed or engaged in small businesses such as selling goods in the market while some are engaged in farming. Several studies relate occupation or income with disaster preparedness. The high-income population is seen to be more prepared and less vulnerable before, during, and even after natural disasters than low-income population [14]. Other studies also stated that if people have a source of income, they will have more resources such as television, radio, and vehicle, which they can use to monitor the situation and help them in the evacuation.
Based on the gathered data, most of the respondents belong to a household with six or more members (53%) in which women's population outnumbers men. It shows that when flooding occurs, their family members are among the priorities for evacuation. All respondents agree that they have experienced calamities in the past. Moreover, among the natural catastrophes, typhoon and flooding are the most frequent. Open Journal of Ecology the low-risk barangay said that despite the frequent occurrence of typhoons, they seldom suffer from flooding because the location of their barangay is slightly elevated. On the other hand, all respondents demonstrate an understanding of the susceptibility of their barangay to flooding. However, for them to classify whether their barangay is high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk, the depth or level of flood-water has to be described. Studies show that an individual's perception of the existence and magnitude of risk affect his or her preparations and decision-making. People who have experienced calamitous events are more serious in their preparations and are more likely to attend seminars and training to have a deeper understanding of the phenomenon [23].

Willingness to Participate in Family Development Sessions
Beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer Program are required to attend Family Development Sessions for a good cause. The Table 2 illustrates how many of the respondents attend, participate and comply with the requirements of the Family Development Sessions which is a component of the program. As shown in Table 2, all respondents from the three barangays said that they "Always" attend Family Development Sessions, lectures, and seminars. Majority of respondents with the mean score of 3.73 said that they eagerly participate in workshops and drill exercises. Although it has a verbal interpretation of "Always", some says that occasionally, they do not eagerly participate in workshops and drill exercises because they do not recognize the need to do so since they are seldom affected by flooding. Almost all of the respondents said that they submit the requirements on time. Nevertheless, according to some, they do comply because it is part of the conditions for the cash assistance and for them to stay in the program.
Their responses reflect the need for further orientation on the purpose of doing workshops and drill exercises. It is important to stress that their participation will eventually prove to be useful especially in the actual situation.

Level of Disaster Awareness and Preparedness of the Selected Economically Challenged Women
Among the objectives of the conduct of Family Development Sessions is to  Table 3 shows the level of awareness and preparedness of the beneficiaries before and after the training. Table 3 shows the respondents' level of awareness of hazards within the community and their preparedness before and after the training. Based on the data, the level of awareness of all respondents improved from Basic to High.
Therefore, the program has been effective in enhancing the knowledge of grantees regarding disaster risks. Having developed their awareness of disaster management, they are more capable of initiating change from household and eventually to the community level.
Although their level of preparedness has improved by merely one step, from Some of the respondents, however, have different views on whether they will

Behavior Change as Reflected by the Selected Economically Challenged Women's Household Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
Positive behavior change is considered a factor in enhancing one's disaster preparedness. Table 4 shows the household emergency/disaster preparedness of the respondents. The level of their preparation is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the program in enhancing their knowledge, perception, and attitude towards disaster-readiness.
The data presented in Table 4 show that despite having plans to perform preparedness measures, most of the respondents remain on the "planning stage" or have not tested the effectiveness of their ideas.
Disaster may occur at any time. Thus, every family should develop a preparedness plan. It includes the role of every member in the safekeeping of belongings and in ensuring that everyone will be safe during the incident. Everyone should be briefed on exit routes and meeting place in case he or she will be separated from one another.
The Cabanatuan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office distribute stickers with hotline numbers. The purpose of which, is for everyone to However, because of financial constraints, some do not own a cellular phone which is needed to call the mentioned agencies. Nonetheless, they keep the contact numbers for future reference.
The preparation of an E-balde or emergency pail is part of the disaster preparedness training. The balde or pail/bucket which is a common item in the household has been given another purpose. Aside from its typical use as storage  Table 5 presents the effect of disaster risks reduction and management training All the respondents from the three barangays said that their attendance to

Perceived Effects of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training to Economically Challenged Women
Family Development Sessions has brought about change in their perception towards the importance of disaster preparedness. Therefore, the program has been "effective" in encouraging the respondents to change their perception towards the importance of disaster preparedness. Likewise, they also said that the inclu- Lastly, the majority of the respondents agree that the inclusion of community risk assessment to the Family Development Session has transformed their attitude towards their role in mitigating and preparing for disasters. After gaining more knowledge on community risks and preparedness measures, their notion that women are generally "helpless" changed into the impression that women are "helpers" and that they can contribute to the early recovery of the community.

Conclusions
Given the location of Philippines, the occurrence of natural calamities is inevitable. Moreover, the phenomenon is exacerbated by the effects of climate change which is becoming a global concern. Women, because of their limited access to resources, were more vulnerable to disasters.
Philippines, which is among the countries who advocate for gender equality and inclusive development, has been implementing various policies and laws to ensure the protection of women, especially in crisis situations. Open Journal of Ecology the behavior and perception of women towards disaster preparedness will prove to be beneficial in the long run. As evident in the study, the Family Development

Republic
Sessions have been a good modality for harnessing the knowledge and skills of women on disaster management. Women, who are often left at home to look after the children, have learned to use the information to make their family disaster-ready.
The study, therefore, reinforces the idea that gender-inclusive programs are vital to the achievement of community resilience.

Recommendations
Educating women about disaster risks and management provides opportunities to decrease women's vulnerability. In the long run, having developed women's adaptive capability, or the ability to withstand the effects of disasters or immediately recover from disasters and external shocks, will be essential in building resilience from grassroots to the national level.
Women play a crucial role in the disaster risk reduction and management process. Women should be empowered, and their role as drivers of change and helpers in the wake of disasters should be encouraged. Because they understand the consequences disasters have on their community as well as, their potential long-term impacts, women can also be proactive. Women's naturally caring and nurturing nature drives them to make a difference for the future of their children and of the community as a whole. Women also have the eye for details, and this makes them a pivotal part of the planning process.
Further evaluation of the program in some barangays is encouraged to look for similarity in results and check the usefulness of RA 10121 in disaster preaparedness and reduction. A more in-depth study should be made to include all barangays of Cabanatuan City to elicit the point of views of all program beneficiaries. Future researchers should also look into the other factors that will further improve the program and its outcomes.
Information dissemination and women empowerment should be given due course to strengthen the community preparedness against disasters.
Design and innovate gender inclusive programs intended to reinforce existing structure that provides women the opportunity to contribute to the development of society not only in disaster management and other areas of natural and social activities.