Women's Vulnerability to Climate Change: Gender-skewed Implications on Agro-based Livelihoods in Rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe.

Climate change presents a considerable threat to human security, with notable gender disproportions. Women's vulnerability to climate change has implications on agro-based livelihoods, especially the rural populace. The primary purpose of this study was to assess women's vulnerability to climate cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian Journal of Gender Studies Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 259 - 282
Main Authors: Chidakwa, Patience, Mabhena, Clifford, Mucherera, Blessing, Chikuni, Joyline, Mudavanhu, Chipo
Format: Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Jun2020
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: Women's Vulnerability to Climate Change: Gender-skewed Implications on Agro-based Livelihoods in Rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe.
      aug:
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          Chidakwa, Patience
          Mabhena, Clifford
          Mucherera, Blessing
          Chikuni, Joyline
          Mudavanhu, Chipo
        affil:
          National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
          The University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, UK.
          Development Solutions, Harare, Zimbabwe.
          Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
      su:
        Climate change
        Sampling (Process)
        Zimbabwe
      sug:
        subj:
          Zimbabwe
          Climate change
          Sampling (Process)
      keyword:
        de facto household head
        de jure household head
        gender
        smallholder farmers
        vulnerability
      ab: Climate change presents a considerable threat to human security, with notable gender disproportions. Women's vulnerability to climate change has implications on agro-based livelihoods, especially the rural populace. The primary purpose of this study was to assess women's vulnerability to climate change and the gender-skewed implications on agro-based livelihoods in rural Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. A qualitative approach that used purposive sampling techniques was adopted. Data was collected through 20 in-depth interviews with 11 de jure and 9 de facto small-scale female-headed farmer households. Two focus group discussions with mixed de facto and de jure small-scale female-headed farmer households were also conducted. Five key informant interviews were held with departmental heads of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development; the Agriculture Technical Extension Service Department; the Livestock Production Department; the Runde Rural District Council and the Meteorological Services Department. Gendered effects were noted in terms of increased roles and responsibilities for women. Observations showed that there was an increase in distances travelled by women to fetch water owing to a depleted water table. Climate-induced migration of men due to depleted livelihoods in rural areas has also increased roles and responsibilities for women. The traditional male responsibilities assumed by women included cattle herding and ox-driven ploughing. This study concluded that adaptation strategies towards vulnerability to climate change have to be gender-sensitive and area-specific. This study also recommended that response programmes and policies meant to curb existing gendered vulnerabilities should be informed by evidence because climate-change effects are unique for different geographical areas. Moreover, adaptation activities should be mainstreamed in community processes so as to reduce the burden on women and increase sustainability opportunities.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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