Gender Dimensions in Disaster Management: A Focus on Aquaculture and Fishing Communities in ...

110 Pages·2015·2.76 MB·English

by  Morgan Chow

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF

Morgan Chow for the degree of Master of Science in Marine Resource Management presented on
September 14, 2015.

Title: Gender Dimensions in Disaster Management: A Focus on Aquaculture and Fishing
Communities in the Philippines

Abstract approved: ______________________________________________________
Hillary S. Egna
Many nations that invest in aquaculture and fisheries for improved nutrition and food
security are located in areas prone to natural disasters, such as typhoons. While all residents are
vulnerable to the effects of disasters, research suggests that women are disproportionately
affected at all stages of disaster management: preparedness, response, and recovery. These
inequities contribute to a diminished community capacity of resilience to future disasters. In
2010, the Philippines introduced disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) legislation
designed to improve DRRM coordination and effectiveness. In 2013 and 2014, the Philippines
experienced two of the largest typhoons to ever hit land, affecting an archipelago of around
7,100 island communities dependent on coastal and marine natural resources. The second
typhoon arrived while 28 semi-structured interviews were being conducted with respondents
working in DRRM, fishing and aquaculture, and women’s organizations in the Philippines,
almost exactly one year after the previous typhoon. Data were collected to contextualize changes
in gender integration in response to disasters. This research extends the 2009 Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) study that indicated a high level of awareness of the importance
of gender integration for DRRM in the Philippines, by examining gender dimensions as the
disaster management process unfolds.
Results reveal that important steps are being taken to integrate gender at the DRRM
programmatic level, yet gaps remain at the community level. Changes are due in part to a
combination of improved policies and lessons learned from recent disaster events. Interviews
across sectors and governing levels one year after devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and
amidst Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) offer insightful comparisons, and show that perceptions of
gender differences vary significantly across social and political settings. These differing
perspectives also reveal important information regarding some of the barriers to gender
integration in DRRM such as evacuation protocols, recovery efforts, overall DRRM awareness,
and political challenges. Additionally, respondents shared some successes in disaster
management, offering a positive outlook for forthcoming improvements. Addressing these
shortcomings and focusing attention on attainable outcomes can help foster more resilient
communities in the Philippines and nations worldwide.
©Copyright by Morgan Chow
September 14, 2015
All Rights Reserved
Gender Dimensions in Disaster Management: A Focus on Aquaculture and Fishing Communities
in the Philippines

by
Morgan Chow

A THESIS

Submitted to

Oregon State University

in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of

Master of Science

Presented September 14, 2015
Commencement June 2016
Master of Science thesis of Morgan Chow presented on September 14, 2015

APPROVED:

Major Professor, representing Marine Resource Management

Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

Dean of the Graduate School

I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State
University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon
request.

Morgan Chow, Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am very grateful to the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and the
Marine Resource Management Department at Oregon State University for providing me with the
resources and support to successfully complete my Master’s in Science in an environment of
such a high level of scientific excellence.
I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Hillary Egna, for providing guidance and advice,
encouragement, and for making me a better researcher. I also would like to thank my committee
members Dr. Lori Cramer, Dr. David Bernell, and Dr. Hilary Boudet for their support and advice
in my research and professional pursuits.
To Flaxen Conway, Robert Allan, and Lori Hartline, I thank you having my back over the
last two years and consistently reassuring me that everything would work out – I couldn’t have
done this without your endless support and encouragement. Thank you to the OSU Provost for
the Provost Fellowship for 2013-2014 and the OSU President’s Commission on the Status of
Women Award.
Thank you to the AquaFish Innovation Lab and all of my wonderful colleagues, you have
taught me so much and have truly enriched my academic and professional experience at OSU.
To everyone that helped make my research possible, thank you! Thank you to everyone
that participated in my research, and those that helped make my data collection in the Philippines
go as smoothly as it did, particularly Dan Joseph, Tyler Hassig, colleagues at Central Luzon
State University, The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the University of the
Philippines, the Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center, the Center for Disaster
Preparedness, Peace Corps Philippines, Remedios and Bong Bolivar for being my wonderful tour
guides, and Tori Stephens.
It has been a wonderful experience being surrounded by scholars with such intelligence,
creativity, and passion for contributing to better science and a better world. The wide range of
research in MRM and CEAOS has opened my eyes to the possibilities for future research
pursuits and career options. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of
academic peers not only in CEAOS, but also in Sociology, Public Policy, and many other related
disciplines. Your involvement in my academic career has provided me with a tremendous sense
of community and motivation to make the world a better place. To my MRM cohort, what would
I have done without you wonderful, passionate, strong-hearted women (and a few strong men as
well)! Your high level of performance challenges me and makes me want to be better every day.
To my friends and family, thank you for bearing with me during my time as a Master’s
student, and providing me with love, laughter, and adventures. I love and cherish all of you.
Thank you Robert Carroll, my incredibly supportive partner. You are my rock, thank you for
keeping me grounded, listening to my stresses, and always being there for me.
CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS

Morgan Chow is the primary author for this Master’s thesis. She is the sole author for Chapters
1,3, and 4. For Chapter 2, co-authors include Dr. Hillary Egna and Dr. Lori Cramer. Chapter 2
has been submitted for publication to the book titled, “Responses to Disaster and Climate
Change: Understanding Vulnerability and Fostering Resilience.” Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 1
1.1 Research objectives .......................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 Disasters and vulnerable populations worldwide ..................................................... 3
1.2.2 Key concepts ............................................................................................................. 3
1.2.3 Gender and Disasters ................................................................................................ 5
1.2.3.1 Perception of risk ............................................................................................... 5
1.2.3.2 Increased risk ..................................................................................................... 6
1.2.3.3 Recovery ............................................................................................................ 7
1.2.3.4 Potential to contribute ........................................................................................ 8
1.2.4 Women in fishing communities ................................................................................ 8
1.2.5 Philippines background ............................................................................................. 9
1.2.5.1 Fisheries and aquaculture in the Philippines ................................................... 10
1.2.5.2 Status of women in the Philippines ................................................................. 12
1.2.5.3 Disaster management history and culture in the Philippines ........................... 13
1.2.6 APEC Study ............................................................................................................ 13
1.2.7 Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) .................................................................................... 14
1.3 Conclusion and thesis format ......................................................................................... 15
1.4 Appendix A .................................................................................................................... 16
1.5 References ...................................................................................................................... 18
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

2 CHAPTER 2: GENDER DIMENSIONS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT:
IMPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMUNITIES IN
THE PHILIPPINES ...................................................................................................................... 25
2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 27
2.1.1 The Philippines ....................................................................................................... 28
2.1.2 APEC Study ............................................................................................................ 29
2.1.3 Typhoon Haiyan and Typhoon Hagupit ................................................................. 30
2.2 Methods .......................................................................................................................... 30
2.2.1 Site selection ........................................................................................................... 30
2.2.2 Research approach and sampling ............................................................................ 31
2.2.3 Data analysis ........................................................................................................... 32
2.3 Results ............................................................................................................................ 32
2.3.1 A serendipitous arrival ............................................................................................ 32
2.3.2 Responses differentiated by governance scale and occupation .............................. 33
2.3.3 From the reports ...................................................................................................... 35
2.4 Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 36
2.5 Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 37
2.6 Appendix B .................................................................................................................... 39
2.7 References ...................................................................................................................... 45
3 CHAPTER 3: GENDER DIMENSIONS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY IN
THE PHILIPPINES ...................................................................................................................... 49
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 49
3.1.1 Research objectives ................................................................................................. 50
3.1.2 Good governance fosters improved disaster management ..................................... 51
3.1.3 Legal background ................................................................................................... 52