What are the main components of the social vulnerability paradigm? How does this fit with the feminist theoretical frameworks presented in Women and Disasters?  

The social vulnerability paradigm is an important framework for understanding how different communities are more or less vulnerable to disasters. It considers factors such as poverty, gender, race, and other minority statuses which can contribute to a person’s status in terms of access to resources and protections that provide security in times of crisis. This fits well with feminist theoretical frameworks presented in Women & Disasters because it takes into account the unique ways that women experience disaster events differently than men due to their various levels of vulnerability caused by existing power dynamics within society.

One key component of the social vulnerability paradigm is the recognition that certain populations are at greater risk for harm from disasters and catastrophes due to their lack of access to resources and protections compared to those who are relatively privileged or have strong socio-economic standing. For example, individuals living in poverty may not possess the means necessary to evacuate from a flood zone before waters rise too high or protect themselves from extreme winds associated with hurricanes. Similarly people who live far away from emergency services, such as rural residents or indigenous communities, may be unable to receive timely medical care if they become injured during a disaster event (Kates et al., 2020).

Another aspect included among components of this framework is the idea that inequality between genders can play a role in determining a person’s level of risk when exposed to hazards associated with disasters. Feminist theories suggest that women often bear additional burdens related health risks when experiencing life threatening emergencies as opposed their male counterparts (Kraemer et al., 2018). This could include higher rates of sexual violence during displacement periods caused by wars or violent conflicts; exposure illnesses caused by unsafe water supplies; exposure diseases passed on through contaminated food sources; malnutrition resulting from insufficient nutrition intakes ; inadequate medical care due limited availability nearby healthcare facilities etc.. Additionally , difficulties accessing safe shelter options , educational opportunities , employment prospects etc.. might increase overall difficulty endured amongst female survivors trying cope during recovery phases after major disasters occur .