The gendered dimensions of bushfire in changing rural landscapes in Australia

Abstract

This paper examines gender differences in awareness, preparedness and attitudes towards bushfire amongst landholders in rural landscapes affected by amenity-led in-migration in southeast Australia. It considers the potential of conceptualising bushfire not as a gender-neutral natural phenomenon but as an important means by which traditional gender roles and power relations within rural landscapes are maintained. Landholders were found to uphold conventional views of bushfire management as " men's business" despite changing social circumstances. Consequently, key gender differences exist within landholders' bushfire risk awareness, bushfire knowledge, the perceived need for bushfire preparedn..