Analysing National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2023 (NESAP) with a gender perspective

Using a gender perspective in disaster action plans/programs is essential in terms of women’s access to fundamental rights. This study aims to analyse National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2023 (NESAP) by a gendered perspective. There are three main axes in NESAP: “Learning about Earthquake” (Axis A), “Safe Settlements and Constructions during Earthquakes” (Axis B), “Coping with the Effects of Earthquakes” (Axis C). This study evaluates strategies and the articles of action stated in Axis C within the context of three indicators: “Gender Blind”, “Gender Neutral” or “Gender Sensitive”. The strategies and actions determined according to the target of ‘‘Improvement of Education about Earthquakes and other Disasters and the Activities about Raising the Public Awareness’’ are “Gender Blind”. The strategy of ‘‘Special Arrangements are going to be Supplied for Risky Individual Groups’’ is problematic in terms of gender perspective. There are no gender sensitive expressions in the strategies and actions determined in the direction of target ‘‘Supplying Fast and Effective Response to the Earthquakes and other Disasters at the Right Time’’. NESAP has significant limitations in terms of gender sensitive policy and program.