Background and purpose: The earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab in November 2017 not only caused physical damage but also left profound psychological and social effects on women. Women, especially in underprivileged areas, faced increased household responsibilities, reduced job opportunities, and limited access to services. This paper examines the barriers to women’s empowerment in such conditions and their role in social reconstruction and sustainable development. Empowering rural women by providing educational, vocational, and decision-making opportunities can be a key factor in achieving sustainable development. The aim of the paper is to provide recommendations to support affected women and assist policymakers in effective post-crisis planning.
Method: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach to examine the resilience of rural women in Sarpol-e Zahab after the earthquake. Data were collected through 27 in-depth interviews with local authorities, experts, and informants from three villages. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis in five stages, and 144 initial codes were categorized into 27 sub-themes and 4 main themes: individual resilience, socio-cultural impacts, economic contexts, and institutional support. Reliability was measured through test-retest and inter-coder reliability, which were estimated at 71.3% and 69.4%, respectively.
Findings:  The findings identified four main themes: 
- Individual Resilience: Education, technical skills, positive attitudes, and previous experiences were key factors in empowering women and enhancing their effective participation in community reconstruction. 
- Socio-cultural Impacts: Support from men, religious beliefs, social participation, and support networks played a significant role in reducing inequalities and empowering women. 
- Economic Contexts: Income levels, self-employment, and government support helped women achieve economic independence, improve their livelihoods, and enhance their psychological well-being. 
- Institutional Support: Government programs, cultural attitude shifts, and the quality of social interactions had a crucial role in increasing resilience and sustainable development among women.
Conclusion:This research shows that the resilience of women in Sarpol-e Zahab after the earthquake is the result of the interaction of individual, social, cultural, and economic factors. Education, skill development, support networks, and religious beliefs played a significant role in empowering women and involving them in post-earthquake reconstruction. Theories such as social empowerment, social capital, human capital, and hope confirm the importance of education, participation in decision-making, and emotional and economic support. Additionally, investing in women’s education and employment strengthens resilience, reduces inequalities, and increases their role in sustainable development and crisis management.