Gendered vulnerabilities to climate change and farmers’ adaptation responses in Kwara and Nassarawa States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines gender vulnerabilities and responsive strategies to climate change, comparing evidences from Kwara and Nassarawa States in Nigeria. Changes in climate parameters, gender-based perceptions of climate, as well as gender-based response and adaptation practices were assessed in accordance with specific research objectives. A total of 200 participants were surveyed through a mixed method approach using 41 years of climate data. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered equally in the two States and 52 in-depth interviews were conducted within male and female farmers that were 40 years and above age using a purposive sampling method. Results from Nassarawa State showed a downward trend in rainfall and an upward trend in both minimum and maximum temperatures. The farmers perceived climate change differently, with observed changes in climate variables: temperature and precipitation, resulting in extreme floods, drought, and rainfall onset and leading to varying adaptation practices. The study concluded that gender plays a significant role in the adoption of adaptation practices in the agricultural sector and that males often have more access to resources and decision-making power in farming as the heads of households. There is a need for better gender-sensitive approaches to adaptation planning and implementation to ensure that both men and women have equal opportunities to benefit from adaptation options in agriculture.

How Do Arable Crop Farmers’ Adapt to Climate Change? New Evidence from Nigeria

“…The average household size in the area was 7 persons, suggesting that the arable crop farmers had quite high households, some of which may have included direct family, relatives, or extended dependents who could help with farming production and practice more climate change adaptation strategies in the area. The result was in consonance with the study of Ayanlade et al [14], who found that "household size could be a proxy for labour to increase and enhance their farming activities, climate change adaptation and expansion of farm income". The average length of time spent in school was 12 years, which suggests that the arable crop farmers in the region had at least a secondary education.…”

Assessment of the Vulnerability of Households Led by Men and Women to the Impacts of Climate-Related Natural Disasters in the Coastal Areas of Myanmar and Vietnam

“…Better access to market information can be ensured by enhanced social capital and information-sharing platforms [10,43]. For instance, women with less access to resources, such as information, credit, and market services, are less likely to adopt climate change adaptation strategies, increasing vulnerability to climate risks [17,18]. Therefore, the scores for this component highlight the need for more concerted action and emergency COVID-19 responses from public and private organisations to meet the needs of vulnerable farm households in the coastal areas of Myanmar and Vietnam.…”

“…The effects of climate change are not evenly distributed, and marginalised groups, including women, are disproportionately affected. Female farmers frequently face genderspecific barriers to resources and decision-making power, exacerbating their vulnerability to climate risks [16,17]. In many regions, women play an important role in food production, processing, and marketing, and their vulnerability has consequences for agricultural productivity and food security.…”

“…In many regions, women play an important role in food production, processing, and marketing, and their vulnerability has consequences for agricultural productivity and food security. Understanding the gendered differences in the impacts of climate change is therefore crucial for developing effective and gender-sensitive adaptation strategies that address the specific needs and challenges of women farmers [16][17][18]. Women constitute the majority of the world's poor and rely on natural resources that are most vulnerable to climate change [19].…”