Gendered Precarity in the Anthropocene: Analyzing Informal Support Networks and Resilience Strategies during Climate Disasters

Abstract

This research examines the sociological phenomenon of Gendered Precarity within the context of the Anthropocene, specifically focusing on the informal support networks and resilience strategies deployed by women during climate-induced disasters. The primary objective is to move beyond viewing women solely as "vulnerable victims" and instead analyze their role as active agents of communal survival when formal state institutions and disaster management frameworks fail. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative data on displacement patterns with qualitative thematic analysis—processed through NVivo—of lived experiences from flood-affected and heat-stressed regions. The findings reveal that climate catastrophes do not impact all demographics equally; rather, they exacerbate existing social stratifications, leading to a "double precarity" for women who must navigate physical displacement alongside intensified domestic and caregiving responsibilities. The implications are vital for climate governance and urban planning, suggesting that effective disaster resilience must be grounded in gender-responsive strategies that recognize and resource these informal social structures. Ultimately, the research argues that for a truly sustainable future, the "Right to the City" and the "Right to Safety" must be reconstructed to account for the gendered realities of environmental collapse.