Principles for the consideration of intersectionality in place‐based disaster risk governance in islands

Abstract

AbstractThis paper advances disaster risk governance (DRG) research and practice by incorporating elements of intersectionality and place‐based thinking. Intersectionality provides a crucial yet underutilised lens to examine power, positionality, and individuals' experiences facing disasters and other climatic events. Through six principles and using examples from small islands and a synthesis of the literature, this paper presents an intersectional approach for DRG to support inclusive and contextualised actions: (i) individuals are multi‐dimensional and complex; (ii) identities and vulnerability are not predefined; (iii) spatial and temporal differences influence the expression of identities; (iv) materiality of ecological systems influences intersectionality; (v) power relations are central the emergence of social processes and epistemologies; and (vi) positionality plays an important role in defining risk reduction agendas and choices. This paper examines how an intersectional perspective generates pathways to address the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters beyond the ‘one size fits all’ approaches promoted globally.