ROLE IN A RISK SOCIETY: HOW WOMEN BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN

In 1986, the world was shaken by the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear accident, which released massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment, affecting millions of people and the land for decades.

- 

The Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan that took place in 2011 mirrored this tragedy, highlighting the dangers of nuclear energy in densely populated areas. These incidents exposed how the rapid pace of modernisation can amplify risks, with devastating consequences for human life and long-term environmental safety.

Another disaster is the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, which triggered global lockdowns, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and disrupted economies. Governments, despite efforts, struggled to respond as the global economy collapsed and millions of lives were upended. The pandemic exposed the deep vulnerabilities of an interconnected world, with its aftermath still rippling through societies. Financial instability deepened existing inequalities, showing how modern crises can amplify the risks built into the structures of global life.

Ever wondered why such unpredictable events keep occurring and why there seems to be no clear way to control them? Why, despite technological advancements and promises of progress, we find ourselves continually facing new, unforeseen risks? This is precisely what the concept of risk society explains.

The concept

Coined by Ulrich Beck in his book Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity, the term “risk society” describes a shift from an industrial society to one increasingly shaped by uncertainty and hazards created by technological and environmental developments. In such a society, the focus moves from the distribution of wealth to the prevention and management of risks, including health crises, pollution, and environmental degradation, that arise from modernisation itself.