Edward Elgar Publishing Gender, Development and Disasters

The need to 'disaster proof' development is increasingly recognised by development agencies, as is the need to engender both development and disaster response. This unique book explores what these processes mean for development and disasters in practice. Sarah Bradshaw critically examines key notions, such as gender, vulnerability, risk, and humanitarianism, underpinning development and disaster discourse. Case studies are used to demonstrate how disasters are experienced individually and collectively as gendered events. Through consideration of processes to engender development, it problematizes women's inclusion in disaster response and reconstruction. The study highlights that while women are now central to both disaster response and development, tackling gender inequality is not. By critically reflecting on gendered disaster response and the gendered impact of disasters on processes of development, it exposes some important lessons for future policy. This timely book examines international development and disaster policy which will prove invaluable to gender and disaster academics, students and practitioners. Disasters are increasingly becoming important within development rhetoric and practice, and this important study will be essential for gender and development academics and students to gain a greater understanding of the area. Review 'Once in a while a book is published which offers an empirically and theoretically - informed analysis of an under-studied topic which helps to carve out a new field of enquiry. Such is the case with Dr Sarah Bradshaw's breathtakingly detailed, richly first-hand informed, and incisive, account of the frequently paradoxical co-option of women into the analysis and practice of "disaster" in developing economies. Bradshaw's eminently comprehensive, well-substantiated, perceptive and sensitive treatment of the "A to Z" of gender and "disaster" in developing country contexts constitutes a 21st century volume which will be a definitive benchmark for scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and feminist activists at a world scale.' --Sylvia Chant, London School of Economics, UK About the Author Sarah Bradshaw, Principal Lecturer in Development Studies, Middlesex University, UK