Abstract

Socionatural disasters affect women differently, particularly in urban and rural contexts, where they face pre-existing inequalities but also demonstrate active agency in coping and recovery. This research analyzes women's coping strategies from an intersectional perspective, exploring how gender and territory influence their responses to disasters. A qualitative methodology was used with a purposive sample of university students from the south-central zone of Chile. The results identified strategies based on direct confrontation and seeking social support during the emergency phase. However, these strategies are less frequent in the recovery phase, where emotional difficulties and adaptation limitations emerge. In rural areas, community ties are stronger, while in urban contexts, support comes mainly from family and friends. The discussion highlights the importance of integrating a gender approach from an intersectional perspective in DRM. © 2025, Corporation for the Management and Reduction of Disaster Risk in Chile (GRID-Chile). All rights reserved.