Background and Objectives: The critical role of women in post-disaster housing reconstruction has been well-documented; however, this role is often overlooked in disaster studies, particularly in Iran. This study aims to systematically analyze existing research and examine the role and agency of women in post-disaster housing reconstruction.
Methodo: This study systematically reviewed Persian-language articles, master’s dissertations, and doctoral theses from the field of disaster management and reconstruction at Shahid Beheshti University. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants. The systematic review process included defining inclusion and exclusion criteria, identifying data sources, employing a search strategy, and coding and analyzing the data.
Findings and Conclusion: The results indicate that while most studies focus on women’s vulnerabilities, participation, and empowerment, the concept of “women’s agency,” which refers to their proactive efforts to address pre- and post-disaster conditions, has received minimal attention. Analysis of instances of women’s agency highlights interventions such as enhancing privacy, creating livelihood-oriented spaces, improving housing safety, and designing emergency spaces.
Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the need to integrate the concept of women’s agency into policies and programs for post-disaster housing reconstruction. This approach can contribute to developing more resilience reconstruction processes in disaster management.