Women’s Recovery and Adaptation Strategies to Natural Disasters in Selected Rural Communities in Quezon Province

We have seen how the role of women transformed from a passive state to a more active/participatory position in the society. Women, along with children and elders, are often viewed as a burden rather than a capital, specially in the plight of natural disasters. However, her contribution to mitigate the effect of and recover from disasters usually goes unrecognized. This research therefore aimed to explore the role of women to facilitate recovery and adaptation to natural disasters with the basic analysis on their empowerment, changes of livelihood capitals, women’s needs, opportunities and constraints. Further, the study employed a quantitative-qualitative (mixed) method of research utilizing triangulation of data from both questionnaires and face-to-face interview. This study involved one hundred (100) respondents collectively from Real, Infanta and General Nakar Quezon. Results revealed that all of the women in the respective towns experienced disaster consequences such as homelessness, unemployment, and interrupted educational opportunities. But the study also revealed that almost all of the women in the said towns were also actively involved in the different activities commonly performed during their recovery period. The researchers highly recommend that all the women in Real, Infanta, and General Nakar should undergo more disaster risk and management trainings and programs and they should be also given livelihood programs and opportunities so they can provide food and shelter for their respective families.