Women’s Vulnerability During Natural Disasters: A Feminist Perspective on COVID-19’s Impact in Japan

Year 2024, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 1 - 18, 27.02.2025

Xiru Zhao , Vuslat Nur Şahin Temel

Abstract

Female vulnerability during disasters is a significant issue, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan, as a develo-ped country, exemplifies how women faced increased economic vulnerability and instability during this crisis. The pan-demic intensified existing social structu-res, leading to greater instability and inse-curity, with these effects being especially pronounced when viewed through a gen-dered lens. This article argues that, despite the Japanese government's efforts to mitigate economic instability, the absence of a gender perspective in policy-making perpetuated women’s economic vulnera-bility, ultimately undermining human security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Japan.

Keywords

Japan, COVID-19, Human Security, SDGs, Feminism

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