Examining Safe Spaces: Women’s Experiences during Evacuation in Flood-Affected Areas of Carmen, Davao del Norte

Abstract

Safe spaces for women during evacuation are crucial for ensuring their physical and emotional well-being. These spaces are established to offer women and girls protection from various forms of gender-based violence, provide access to essential services, and promote a sense of security, allowing them to navigate the crisis with dignity. The study aims to delve into the experiences of women during evacuation in Barangay Ising, Carmen, Davao del Norte. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from ten women evacuees. This study is viewed through the lens of Social Vulnerability Theory, which examines how sociodemographic characteristics influence disaster vulnerability. The theory underscores that due to women’s social and economic conditions, they may face greater risks and reduced capacity to cope and recover in disaster contexts such as evacuation centers. According to the findings, inadequate provision of necessities, limited bathroom and washing facilities, constrained evacuation space, and no breastfeeding spaces are the challenges of women evacuees. The study also reveals the resilience and resourcefulness of women evacuees, who cope with these challenges by optimizing aid from the government and donors, calling and reaching out to donors using social media platforms, resource networking among evacuees, using improvised materials, and maintaining strong faith in God. The study further suggests that due to the complexity of evacuees’ experiences, it is recommended to improve the medical services, capacitate frontline personnel to improve service delivery, improve hygiene facilities, develop flood-resistant evacuation centers, and establish breastfeeding spaces in evacuation centers. Keywords: women evacuees, evacuation, gender equality, safe spaces, women during disasters

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